Keisuke Honda put in another assist as Melbourne Victory beat Wellington Phoenix 3 – 1 at home to advance to the semifinals of the Finals Series.

Defending champion Melbourne Victory started their first match of the knockout competition, with Honda occupying his usual position on the right of midfield.

Melbourne Victory were awarded a freekick in the 41st minute for a foul on Ola Toivonen. Honda stepped up for the set piece and floated in a cross for the advancing Georg Niedermeier to head home. The high-precision pass was the seventh assist of his maiden A-League campaign.

Further goals from Kosta Barbarouses and Ola Toivonen, with a Wellington Phoenix consolation goal sandwiched in between, ensured a win for the home side.

Melbourne Victory will play Sydney FC – second place team in the regular season – in the semifinals on 12 May.

Melbourne Victory 3 – 1 Wellington Phoenix

(Georg Niedermeier 42, Kosta Barbarouses 53′, Ola Toivonen 71′ – Roy Krishna 64′)

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Source: Yahoo

Image: gettyimages