JConnor Pain of Melbourne Victory competes for the ball with Kim Kee-Hee of Jeonbuk. Source: Chung Sung-Jun / Supplied
INJURY-hit Melbourne Victory has fallen agonisingly short of a first appearance in the Asian Champions League knockout stages, drawing 0-0 with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in South Korea.
Needing a win to get out of Group G at Jeonbuk's expense, Victory failed to score for the first time in this ACL campaign.
Kevin Muscat's men were defensively sound throughout the night, but just lacked a cutting edge in attack when it mattered most.
Victory had a strong penalty shout in the 92nd minute as Kosta Barbarouses appeared to be dragged down in the box but the visitors were ultimately denied, as they were just seconds from the end when Archie Thompson's late effort was brilliantly saved.
It meant Victory finished third on eight points, behind Tuesday night's opponents on goal difference alone - and just a solitary goal at that.
Guangzhou Evergrande topped the standings with 10 points after defeating Yokohama F. Marinos 2-1 in the other group match which was played simultaneously in China.
It was a heartbreaking end to what was Victory's fourth and best Asian campaign to date.
And it was a result which may have repercussions in the days to come as injuries last night not only hampered the team's ambitions against Jeonbuk but may also lessen its chances of defeating Brisbane Roar in Sunday's A-League semi-final at Suncorp Stadium.
Jesse Makarounas copped a knock to his right hip midway through the first half that forced his withdrawal in the 37th minute before Scott Galloway limped off with a right hamstring strain less than two minutes later.
Barbarouses came on for Makarounas, which meant Thompson dropped back in to an attacking midfield position, while Jason Geria was a straight swap for Galloway at right back.
Coach Muscat's plans to use a late impact sub off the bench were then scuppered in the 68th minute as Adrian Leijer was forced off with a reoccurrence of the left foot injury suffered against Guangzhou last week.
Kevin Muscat's troops put up a fight, but it wasn't enough. Source: Getty Images
Defender Dylan Murnane, rather than an attacking option such as Andrew Nabbout or Jordan Brown, had to be called upon.
Still Victory was in the hunt at that time and, despite the unscheduled interruptions to its setup, continued to press for the win.
But aside from two Jimmy Jeggo shots from distance in the last half-hour - and the Barbarouses penalty claim - Jeonbuk, courtesy of shots from Alex Wilkinson, Jung Hyuk, Lee Dong-Gook and Leonardo, had the best of the chances.
In Guangzhou, Elkeson headed his side ahead in the 11th minute before doubling the advantage seven minutes before half time.
Manabu Saito pulled a goal back in the 85th minute but could not prevent Yokohama from finishing bottom of the group.
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