Melbourne City beats Perth 2-0 to reach A-League semifinals

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Melbourne City will play Adelaide United in next weekend's semifinals of Australian football's A-League after beating Perth 2-0 Sunday in the first round of the playoffs.

Brisbane claimed a place opposite Western Sydney Wanderers in the second semifinal after scoring twice in the last four minutes Friday to beat defending champions the Melbourne Victory 2-1.

Uruguayan striker Bruno Fornaroli scored twice to send Melbourne City into the semis for the first time, putting his team ahead in the 40th minute, then clinching their win in the 76th minute.

Adelaide, which finished atop the league to win the minor premiership and the Premier's Plate, will host the first semifinal on Friday while Western Sydney host Brisbane on Sunday.

Fornaroli, the league's golden boot-winner this season, scored his first from a brilliant bicycle kick when the ball bounced in front of him from a corner.

He then quelled a Perth rally with his second from a free kick when, after being fouled by Marc Warren, he curled his shot over the wall and past goalkeeper Ante Covic.