Melbourne Victory conjured up a Brazilian-designed, Australian-made 2-0 win over last year's premier Adelaide United to open the A-League season in style at Olympic Park.

A first half penalty to Kevin Muscat created by Brazilian fullback Alessandro, and a late second half goal to Brazilian substitute Claudinho sealed Victory's win.

While the Victory's much-vaunted Brazilian off-season signings were the creative spark - with attacker Fred also busy in a creative role behind the strikers - the team's Australian players were at its heart.

Muscat was outstanding in central midfield, goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos also made several important saves and substitute Adrian Caceres was lively as a second half substitute.

It was an important win for Melbourne - the league's underachievers last season - which had gone into the match having faded away drastically in the latter half of the opening A-League campaign.

The Victory more than matched last year's league winner and this year's pre-season champion, creating the better chances in the first half and soaking up Adelaide's second half pressure well.

Victory went ahead in the 28th minute when Alessandro was fouled by United's Richie Alagich in the box, with Muscat making no mistake from the spot.

But United should have equalised just before halftime when Socceroo Travis Dodd missed a sitter - hammering into the side netting after finding himself unmarked in the box with Theoklitos beaten.

Melbourne's second half substitute Claudinho finished the job in the 77th minute, striking after Danny Allsopp had forced a save from Adelaide `keeper Robert Bajic, only for the Brazilian to slam home.

But among the Brazilian flair there was also some fire, with a halftime confrontation between Victory teammates Alessandro and Muscat raising eyebrows.

The two appeared to exchange angry words on the pitch as the teams went to the dressing rooms and a shoving match developed.

Alessandro did not re-appear after the break, replaced by Caceres.

Muscat and Victory coach Ernie Merrick were reluctant to discuss the halftime incident, Merrick brushing it off in his post-match media conference by saying "nothing happened".

But Merrick did say he was looking to substitute Alessandro earlier than at halftime because he appeared to be struggling defensively, despite looking lively in attack.

"I was about to make the change 10 minutes before halftime. I made it at halftime," Merrick said.

"We felt we were having trouble with them counter-attacking down the left-hand side and the mix wasn't right over on that side.

"I was happy with all the substitutions."

Adelaide United coach John Kosmina admitted his team had been beaten by a hungrier side.

But he believed a rogue whistle from the crowd may have contributed to Melbourne's second goal - the Adelaide defence stopping as Allsopp ventured goalward to create Claudinho's game-sealer.

"We heard it two or three times during that second half," Kosmina said.

"(Adelaide defender) Ang Costanzo thought there was a foul because he got a poke in the eye - and he stopped. There was a whistle."

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