Brisbane Roar’s imposing record at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford has come to an end courtesy of a 2-1 loss.
Brisbane Roar-s imposing record at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford has come to an end courtesy of a 2-1 loss.
Roar had never previously lost at the venue in the Hyundai A-League and despite a cracking – and rare – goal from midfielder Massimo Murdocca goals in either half from the home side meant Brisbane left empty handed for the first time.
Brisbane found themselves down early when Bernie Ibini nodded home a Pedj Bojic cross as the away side found themselves undermanned at the back following a heavy clash between Matt Smith and Daniel McBreen.
Brisbane responded well to the early goal, getting the ball down on the ground and retaining some quality possession.
The Mariners went close again on 19 minutes when Tom Rogic hit the post from a cutback into the box by Josh Rose, but the ball bounced away to safety.
The Mariners- defence was proving reliably difficult to breakdown, but on 24 minutes Massimo Murdocca did just that on the back of an Erik Paartalu pass, but despite a strong run across the top of the box he curled his shot just wide of the goal.
Brisbane were level on 34 minutes with a training ground corner move when Thomas Broich played the ball to Massimo Murdocca on the edge of the box and he slotted home only his third goal in his eighth season in the Hyundai A-League.
The away side nearly took a lead into the half-time break when in the last minute of time added at the end of the first half when the Mariners failed to clear a corner, requiring John Hutchinson to clear the ball off the line.
The second half started with Brisbane enjoying the lion-s share of possession, probing the Central Coast defensive structure for a weakness in the hot conditions.
However, it was the home side with the first clear-cut chance of the half when Rogic was allowed to turn and run at the Roar penalty area before unleashing a shot from distance which flashed wide of the goal.
The Mariners retook the lead on 81 minutes when Rogic smashed home a ball from the edge of the six-yard box after Michael McGlinchey kept an Oliver Bozanic free-kick alive on the far post.
Brisbane couldn-t find another equaliser, much to the delight of the home crowd.
“We just need to have a good look at ourselves and correct the little mistakes,” Vidosic said.
“Apart from the silly goal, I think the first half was very good.
“We controlled the game, we kept the ball and we penetrated.
“Some parts of the second half we defended well at times, but the annoying part is you lose the game because of two silly mistakes.”
Central Coast Mariners 2 (Ibini 4-, Rogic 81-)
Brisbane Roar 1 (Murdocca 32-)
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Referee: Chris Beath
Crowd: 9084
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Mat Ryan (GK), 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Josh Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Zac Anderson, 7. John Hutchinson, 9. Bernie Ibini (11. Oliver Bozanic 69-), 10. Tom Rogic (19. Mitchell Duke 87-), 14. Micheal McGlinchey, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 18. Nick Montgomery.
Substitutes not used: 13. Brent Griffiths, 20. Justin Pasfield (GK)
Yellow cards: Hutchinson (34-), McBreen (34-), Bojic (80-)
Red cards: Nil
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael Theo (GK), 2. Matt Smith, 3. Shane Stefanutto, 5. Ivan Franjic, 6. Erik Paartalu, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 10. Henrique (17. Mitch Nichols 46-), 11. Ben Halloran (87-), 19. Jack Hingert (4. Matt Jurman 70-), 22. Thomas Broich.
Substitutes not used: 20. Matt Acton (GK)
Yellow cards: Berisha (34-), Jurman (80-), Nichols (89-)
Red cards: Nil
