Melbourne Victory's audacious bid to reach the last eight of the Asian Champions League crashed in the closing stages of their round of 16 clash with South Koreans Ulsan Hyundai, who triumphed 3-0 in their knockout game in the hub in Doha overnight on Monday.
Grant Brebner's youthful and much-changed team conceded three goals in a frantic final 25 minutes after holding their more experienced opponents scoreless until the 65th minute.
A dejected Jake Brimmer after Melbourne Victory crashed out of the Champions League.Credit: Getty Images
It was then that Norwegian striker Bjarn Johnsen put the Korean team, owned by the giant industrial conglomerate Hyundai, in front.
They doubled their advantage 12 minutes later when Won Du-jae netted before Johnsen put the result beyond doubt four minutes from time with his second and Ulsan's third.
Victory had reached the round 16 in the ACL, which is dominated by Chinese, South Korean and cashed-up Middle Eastern teams, for only the second time in the club's history.
It also became the first Australian club to make it to that stage since it managed the same feat itself in 2016.
Brebner was forced to make numerous changes to the team that got Victory to the last 16, with captain Leigh Broxham missing out because of injury.