Brisbane Roar has fallen short in Tuesday night’s A-League fixture against Macarthur FC, going down 2-0 to the league newcomers at Dolphin Stadium.
Both goals arrived late in the second half, the first a sharp finish from Denis Genreau and the second a long range lob from Matt Derbyshire.
A short turnaround, with both sides last featuring on Saturday evening, didn’t help either side in blustery conditions in Redcliffe.
The Roar controlled proceedings for a majority of the contest, and made the better chances with Head Coach Warren Moon most disappointed with the visitors’ opener coming at a crucial point.
“We knew the turnaround would be difficult for both sides,” said Coach Warren Moon after the game.
“I certainly felt we had control of the game at the point when they scored the first goal which was the most disappointing from our perspective.”
“I thought we got better in the second half. There were things we needed to address at halftime,” Moon asserted.
“We had some good chances in the first half and in the second half we had some great chances.”
Despite the visitors maintaining more than a fair share of possession, the Roar carved the better of the chances, regularly calling Adam Federici into action with Dylan Wenzel-Halls also striking the base of the post partway through the second stanza.
“We knew they were a good side so we knew they were going to have possession but it was where they had it and how they were going to use it,” Moon said.
“We weren’t threatened in areas where they had the ball tonight.
“But it’s fine margins in football. Before they scored, Dylan [Wenzel-Halls] had his chance one on one and hit the post. That goes in and we’re front-running with twenty to go.”
The Roar will be raring to bounce straight back on Sunday when they have the opportunity to complete the an early season double over Newcastle Jets who travel to Dolphins Stadium (5:10pm kick-off).
GOALS
Macarthur FC – Genreau 76’ – 0-1
Substitute Jake Hollman holds the ball on the left, cuts back and crosses for Genreau to score with a first time volley on the turn.
Macarthur FC – Derbyshire 90’ – 0-2
With Brisbane pushing ten men into attack, leaving Jamie Young playing as a virtual sweeper, the ball is cleared for Matt Derbyshire who lobs the ball home.
MATCH DETAILS
A-League 2020/21 Matchweek 7: Brisbane Roar vs Macarthur FC
Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe
Tuesday, 9 February
Brisbane Roar 0
Macarthur FC 2 (Genreau 76’, Derbyshire 90’)
Half-time: 0-0