Despite a dominant display, the Brisbane Roar were forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate in their Isuzu UTE A-League Easter Thursday showdown with Sydney FC.
The Roar’s first real chance came just past the ten-minute mark, when New Zealand international James McGarry latched onto a lofted delivery from Sam Klein, but his close-range effort stung the gloves of Sydney keeper Harrison Devenish-Meares.
In the next thirty minutes, the men in orange continued to combine well, moving the ball with fluency through midfielders Jay O’Shea, Noah Maieroni and Klein, though they were unable to break down Sydney’s backline and produce clear-cut chances.
As the half wore on, the Sky Blues looked to pierce the Roar backline, but centre backs Dimitri Valkanis and Marius Lode held firm and caught visiting striker Al Hassan Toure offside on two occasions.
Neither team was able to find the opener and the sides entered the halftime break locked at 0-0.
Early in the second half, following a flurry of Roar chances, Henry Hore’s backheel slipped O’Shea into space on the right flank. He cut inside before drilling a low shot but couldn’t catch Devenish-Meares out at his near post.
The next opening arrived just after the 70th minute, when Justin Vidic received the ball just inside the box and curled a shot towards the top right corner, only for it to sail over the bar.
The Roar came agonisingly close less than five minutes later when McGarry launched a stunning curler from long range, but Devenish‑Meares leapt to tip it away at full stretch.
In stoppage time, McGarry failed to convert a golden chance to snatch the winner and fired the ball skyward from close range, leaving the Den with hands on their heads. The final whistle soon followed and sealed the 0-0 deadlock.
The Brisbane Roar return to action next Friday, taking on ladder rivals the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford at 7.35pm AEST.
