The Cameroonian striker came on with 20 minutes remaining and restored his side's lead in the 79th minute after Daniel Allsopp had cancelled out Fabiano's first-half opener.

And Baga added gloss to the scoreline when he completed his double in stoppage time despite Arthit Suntornphit's dismissal five minute earlier.

The win moves Chonburito the top of Group G on goal difference, ahead of Japanese side Gamba Osaka, while the Victory sit third on three points.

After a tepid opening half the deadlock was broken a minute before the break when a deep cross by Arthit picked out an unmarked Fabiano, who rose unchallenged to send a looping header past goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos.

Melbourne should have restored parity when Adrian Caceres squared a pass to Archie Thompson who somehow conspired to miss his shot from six yards.

The Australia international's blushes were spared two minutes later when a Matthew Kemp cross was knocked home by Allsopp.

Arthit tested the referee's patience in the 65th minute with a lunging challenge on Billy Celeski, only to recieve a yellow card.

Baga made his appearance off the bench in the 70th minute and it took him just nine minutes to make an impact with a superb strike from 30 metres that flew into the top left corner.

The hosts were then reduced to 10 men when Arthit was needlessly dismissed after being shown a second yellow card for time-wasting, but Baga scored his second to confirm the points for his side.