A classy second half double from marquee striker Massimo Maccarone has helped the Brisbane Roar defeat Peninsular Power 4-2 at AJ Kelly Park on Saturday afternoon.
Brisbane’s Hyundai A-League team will take strong momentum into Wednesday’s Westfield FFA Cup tie after overpowering their Brisbane Premier League opponents.
Marquee signing Massimo Maccarone showed his class and experience in his first appearance for the club, coming off the bench in the second half to score a brace as the boys in Orange completed their comeback.
The win gives the Roar a huge confidence boost ahead of the team’s blockbuster Cup tie on August 9 against fierce rivals Melbourne Victory at Perry Park, Bowen Hills.
Get your tickets to Wednesday night’s Westfield FFA Cup clash HERE!
Against an inexperience first-half Roar line-up, Peninsula Power took the lead in the 2nd minute when Dean Briggs’ free kick from 35 metres out beat Roar stopper Tom Bilic.
Brisbane’s equaliser in the first half came in the 30th minute after trialist Peter Skapetis made a brilliant run into the area to then finish from close range.
Power then went ahead 2-1 against a young Roar side in the 38th minute through a close range strike from attacking midfielder Thomas Strickland.
An experienced and classy Brisbane Roar side then dominated the second half creating numerous opportunities and young striker Nick D’Agostino drew the visitors level with a fine header from a pinpoint cross from Captain Matt McKay to make it 2-2.
The fans at AJ Kelly Park were the first to witness marquee signing Massimo Maccarone’s debut Brisbane Roar goal, with the Italian striker slotting home a penalty in the 75th minute following a handball by fullback Jarrod Austin.
The former English Premier League footballer bagged his second two minutes before the final whistle, finishing from an acute angle after rounding the keeper to seal the Roar’s second win of pre-season.
STORY OF THE GAME
- The home side took an early lead after a mistake from Tom Bilic in the Brisbane Roar goal.
- An inexperienced Roar line-up captained by Luke DeVere, continued to press hard for an equaliser and were rewarded in the 30th minute with trialist Peter Skapetis drawing Brisbane’s Hyundai A-League side level.
- In an action-packed first half, the Brisbane Premier League side re-took the lead through young winger Tom Strickland.
- Brisbane Roar made mass changes at half time as Head Coach John Aloisi gave his squad opportunity for game time.
- An experienced Roar line-up dominated the second half creating numerous chances and were rewarded with goals from young striker Nick D’Agostino and marquee front man Massimo Maccarone.
- It was a clinical performance in the second half from a talented Brisbane Roar side who will head into Wednesday’s FFA Cup clash against Melbourne Victory with back-to-back pre-season wins.
GOALS
Peninsula Power FC; Dean Briggs 2’; 1-0
A long-range shot finds it way past Tom Bilic at AJ Kelly Park, the home side Peninsula Power FC take an early lead through a Dean Briggs’ free kick.
Brisbane Roar FC; Peter Skapetis 30’; 1-1
Trialist Peter Skapetis drives into the 18-yard box and nets the equaliser after connecting with a loose pass that he smashes into the roof of the net, drawing the sides level.
Peninsula Power FC; Tom Strickland 38’; 2-1
The home side re-take the lead after Tom Strickland finds space down the right, cutting inside and firing home with a curling effort.
Brisbane Roar FC; Nicholas D’Agostino 69’; 2-2
Nick D’Agostino pulls the Roar level after he converts with a glancing header from a lofted cross from captain Matt McKay following good build up play down the left-hand side.
Brisbane Roar FC; Massimo Maccarone 75’; 2-3
The referee awards Brisbane a penalty after a handball in the box and marquee striker Massimo Maccarone makes no mistake as he confidently puts the ball into the bottom corner of the net to give Brisbane the lead for the first time during the match.
Brisbane Roar FC; Massimo Maccarone 88’; 2-4
Massimo Maccarone secures a second half brace in his debut in Orange as he surges into the box, rounding keeper Jake Reesby and finishing with a brilliant effort.
Match Details
Brisbane Roar FC v Peninsula Power FC. Saturday, 5 July at AJ Kelly Park, Kippa Ring.
Peninsula Power FC 2 (Briggs 2’, Strickland 38’)
Brisbane Roar FC 4 (Skapetis 30’, D’Agostino 69’, Maccarone 75’, 88’)
Half-time: 1-2
