Brisbane Roar has recorded its first win of the Hyundai A-League season, outclassing Melbourne Victory 5-0 in a dominant performance at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane Roar has recorded its first win of the Hyundai A-League season, outclassing Melbourne Victory 5-0 in a dominant performance at Suncorp Stadium.
After their round one loss to Perth Glory, the home side knew the importance of collecting their first points of the campaign and pressed hard on the Victory defence from the get-go.
The Roar-s dominance was rewarded early as they took the lead in the 21st minute and doubled it with two minutes, thanks largely to the influence of German playmaker Thomas Broich.
After teammate Massimo Murdocca cleverly drifted past the defence from a throw-in and clipped pass inside the box, the ball fell to Broich who deceived Victory goalkeeper Laurence Thomas at his near post.
He then turned provider, teeing up Erik Paartalu for a trademark header with a pinpoint corner after Thomas came off his line – the former Greenock Morton man getting on the scoresheet after a 5th minute effort was disallowed for offside.
Brisbane were even more dominant in the second half as the frustrated Victory defence allowed the likes of Murdocca, Besart Berisha and Ben Halloran to make the most of the space in front of them.
It was the Albanian striker who added to the Roar-s advantage just after the hour mark, in an impressive counter attack that began at the back with Brisbane custodian Michael Theo.
His long-range pass picked out the run of Mitch Nichols, whose quick flick to the left saw Thomas drawn out from his line, allowing Berisha to take the easiest of touches to tap the ball into an open net.
Nichols – playing in his 101th Hyundai A-League game – scored the Roar-s fourth with less than ten minutes left to play before Berisha added his second in stoppage time to record an incredible 5-0 result at Suncorp Stadium.
Rado Vidosic said it was hard to pick any faults in a victory that is his first competitive win as Head Coach of Brisbane Roar.
“I was quite pleased with the performance, especially the second half,” he said.
“But when you look at the result – obviously, you can ask for much more.
“We didn-t even dream about such a result before the game because the week has been very difficult for all involved. So at the end of the day, I-m very pleased.”
Brisbane Roar (Thomas BROICH 21-, Erik PAARTALU 23-, Besart BERISHA 64-, 90+2- Mitch NICHOLS 81-)
Melbourne Victory 0
Saturday, 13 October 2012
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick off: 6.45pm local time
Referee: Strebre Delovski
Crowd: 17,364
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEO (gk), 2. Matt SMITH (c), 3. Shane STEFANUTTO, 4. Matt JURMAN, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Besart BERISHA, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA (18. Luke BRATTAN 89-), 11. Ben HALLORAN, 17. Mitch NICHOLS (24. Nick FITZGERALD 84-), 22. Thomas BROICH
Substitutes not used: 19. Jack HINGERT, 20. Matt ACTON (gk),
Yellow cards: Matt JURMAN 15-, Matt SMITH 66-
Red cards: Nil
Melbourne Victory: 2. Matthew FOSCHINI, 3. Adama TRAORE, 7. Guilherme FINKLER, 8. Jonathan BRU, 9. Marcos FLORES, 17. James JEGGO (14. Billy CELESKI 63-), 18. Daniel ALLSOPP, 20. Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21. Spase DILEVSKI (6. Leigh BROXHAM 83-), 23. Adrian LEIJER (c), 26. Andrew NABBOUT (16. Theodore MARKELIS 62-)
Substitutes not used: 1. Tando VELAPHI
Yellow cards: James JEGGO 60-, Daniel ALLSOPP 61-, Leigh BROXHAM 88-
Red cards: Nil
