Melbourne Victory are through to the AFC Champions League round of 16 for the first time after goals from fan favourities Archie Thompson and Besart Berisha helped the hosts to a 2-1 win over Gamba Osaka at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Tuesday night.
After Suwon Bluewings upset Group G leaders Shanghai SIPG 3-0, Kevin Muscat's men needed all three points to progress to the ACL knockout stages and his side started strongly.
An ice-cool Berisha expertly convered from the spot in the 13th minute to give Victory the lead, after handball was ruled against Gamba forward Shun Nagasawa.
Just three minutes later and it was simply pandemonium at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium as Thompson, who recently announced the end of his 11-year tenure with the club, fired home to double the home side's lead and almost bring the house down.
