The Young Roar have completed a strong 2-0 win over last year’s Foxtel Y-League runners up Melbourne City at Lions Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Roar adapted better to the wet and overcast conditions, running away in the second half thanks to a double from forward Mirza Muratovic.
The win, which is also the side’s first clean sheet of the campaign, is the Roar’s first victory of the Foxtel Y-League season and Head Coach Drew Sherman was pleased with his side’s overall showing in Round 2.
“We defended much better [than in the Round 1 defeat against Perth Glory] and limited City to shots from range and only chances in transition,” Head Coach Drew Sherman said.
“Baring in mind how young we are in that defensive line, it’s a credit to how hard the player have worked during training this week.”
Despite a scoreless first half, the opening 45 minutes of play was far from a dull affair with the home side creating a number of genuine chances in the front third.
Daniel Leck and Mirza Muratovic had opportunities to give the Young Roar the lead in the opening half of action with Leck going close with a well-taken free-kick in the 34th minute that was unlucky to not find the back of the net.
The visitors had their moments in the opening 45 minutes with Yaya Dukuly and Gianluca Lannucci creating half chances in the final third for City.
As the heavens opened up at the halftime break so did the floodgates as the Roar began to take advantage of the control they were having on the game.
After 59 minutes of peppering City’s goal, the Young Roar opened their account courtesy of Muratovic, who benefited from a deflected shot and calmly slotted his effort past James Delianov from close range.
Just ten minutes later Muratovic would secure the Young Roar their first victory of the season finding the bottom right corner after a pin-point assist from defender Emlyn Wellsmore.
City pressed throughout the final 15 minutes with no luck as Young Roar keeper Macklin Freke made two clutch saves to seal the deal for Brisbane.
“For us to have that type of performance shows the type of player we have here at the Club. These young guys coming through are some of the best young players in the country,” Sherman added.
“City had a young squad today, but so did we.
“We will continue to work on finding that right balance between development and picking up results because when we play in the [Foxtel] Y-League we expect to be one of the youngest team.”
The Young Roar next face Adelaide United on Sunday, 25 November at the Logan Football Complex (3pm KO).
STORY OF THE GAME
- The Roar had the better of the chances in the opening 45 minutes, but headed into the break all locked up.
- Muratovic snagged a double, scoring in the 59th and 69th minutes, and could have had more, managing to keep Delianov busy throughout the afternoon.
- This win is Brisbane’s first win over Melbourne City in the Foxtel Y-League since the 2016/17 campaign.
GOALS
Young Roar – Muratovic 59′ – 1-0
A deflected shot falls to Mirza Muratovic’s feet, and he finishes across the keeper, inside the left upright from point-blank range.
Young Roar – Muratovic 69′ – 2-0
Emlyn Wellsmore does terrifically well in the front third to bypass a defender before teeing up Muratovic who finishes calmly.
MATCH DETAILS
Foxtel Y-League 2018/19 – Round 2: Brisbane Roar Youth v Melbourne City Youth
Lions Stadium, Richlands
Saturday, 17 November
Brisbane Roar Youth 2 (Muratovic 59′, 69′)
Melbourne City Youth 0
Half-time: 0-0
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