Brisbane Roar have equalled their longest undefeated streak at Suncorp Stadium after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Newcastle Jets.
The Roar haven-t lost at home since the same opponents prevailed 2-0 back in January and were unlucky not to collect all three points after dominating the encounter.
On the one year anniversary of Ange Postecgolou-s appointment to the top job at the club, Brisbane welcomed Mitch Nichols into the starting eleven after his game-changing cameo against Perth Glory two weeks ago with Massimo Murdocca taking a seat on the bench.
The home side threatened early, and Erik Paartalu almost found himself on the scoresheet after a fluent, passing movement from the middle of the park caught the Newcastle back four off their guards.
After a neat one-two with midfielder Thomas Broich, two quick passes found Paartalu in front of goal with just Ben Kennedy to beat, but the Jets ‘keeper threw his body on the line and sent the shot away from goal.
Brisbane continued to attack, and after a quarter of an hour of play, Broich sent a low, teasing across the mouth of goal, however, Kosta Barbarouses was the wrong side of the Newcastle defender and was unable to get the vital last touch.
Despite their dominance on the park, the Roar found themselves a goal down three minutes later.
Jets midfielder Jeremy Brockie put a telling cross into the penalty area, and in his attempts to send the ball out for a corner, Matt Smith-s last touch sent the ball into the back of the net.
As the half progresses, the home side had numerous chances to equalise, Paartalu going close with a curling free kick while Luke DeVere had a header cleared off the line.
Broich also had a chance to draw the scores level, but his half-volley was well saved by the excellent Kennedy.
The German was amongst the action early in the second half as well, charging through the midfield and unleashing a thunderbolt shot from outside the box destined for the top corner before Kennedy-s hand tipped it over the crossbar.
The pressure was mounting on Brisbane as they pushed for an equaliser, but they were continuing to attack with pace and fluency in the final third, with Broich leading the way.
Skipper Matt McKay had a chance in front of goal before a well-timed challenge by a Newcastle defender, then Broich tested Kennedy with a quick flick-on header in the area.
Brisbane finally had their well-deserved equaliser in the 77th minute, when Reinaldo reacted quickest to a perfectly placed corner from Broich, nodding the ball with determination past the helpless Kennedy.
Spurred by Reinaldo-s efforts, Brisbane were desperate to find a winner in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
Reinaldo had a chance to give the Roar the lead in the final stages of the game when Barbarouses threaded a direct pass to his feet, but the Jets defence combined well to deny the big striker a touch.
In the four minutes of injury time, substitute Rocky Visconte looked lively in Roar colours but neither side were able to hit the back of the net once more and claim victory.
Despite not collecting all three points on offer, Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou was full of praise for the attacking style of play his team put on show against Newcastle.
“I can-t have any complaints tonight,” he said.
“We created enough opportunities, their ‘keeper was outstanding – 99 per cent of it was good.
“We didn-t get the result, but even though we-re in the business of results, we-re also in the business of trying to improve as a team.
“I thought the performance tonight was really good, particularly in the second half we knocked it around well and created some good opportunities for ourselves.”
Brisbane Roar 1 (Matt Smith (og) 19-)
Newcastle Jets (Reinaldo 77-)
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Crowd: 10,191
Brisbane Roar line-up: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 6. Erik PAARTALU (14. Rocky VISCONTE 75-), 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 11. REINALDO,15. Matt McKAY (c), 17. Mitch NICHOLS (8. Massimo MURDOCCA 58-), 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK (5. Ivan FRANJIC 68-)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk)
Yellow Cards: Milan SUSAK 39-, Shane STEFANUTTO 57-, Matt SMITH 66-
Red Cards: Nil
Newcastle Jets line-up: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 3. Adam D-APUZZO, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC (c), 7. Kasey WEHRMAN 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 14. Labinot HALITI (19. Ali ABBAS 63-), 15. Sean ROONEY (9. Zhang SHUO 72-), 16. Jeremy BROCKIE (17. Marcello FIORENTINI 83-), 18. Marko JESIC
Substitutes Not Used: 40. Matthew NASH (gk)
Yellow Cards: Ruben Zadkovich 24-, Ljubo MILICEVIC 35-, Tarek ELRICH 54-, Kasey WEHRMAN 61-
Red Cards: Nil
