Melbourne beat Group E leaders Tianjin Teda 2-1 on Wednesday to keep alive its playoff hopes in the Asian Champions League.
Carlos Hernandez and Kevin Muscat scored goals just before halftime as Melbourne came from behind after China's Tianjen led through a 37th-minute goal by striker Chen Tao.
Hernandez scored with a curling free kick in the 44th minute and Muscat from the penalty spot 60 seconds later after Tianjen defender Cao Yang was ajudged to have fouled Robbie Kruse.
Nine yellow cards were handed out in an ill-tempered match and Melbourne defender Surat Sukha was sent off for a second yellow with eight minutes remaining.
The win was Melbourne's first in four matches but it remained in playoffs contention after Japan's Gamba Osaka beat Korea's Jeju United 3-1 in Wednesday's other Group E match.
