Brisbane Roar have been edged out 1-0 by Melbourne Victory in their Hyundai A-League home opener at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Andrew Nabbout’s 19th minute strike proved the difference as the Roar fell to their first defeat of the 2019/20 season.
Despite creating a number of chances the Roar were unable to convert against a stoic Victory backline, despite dominating large portions of the match.
Speaking post-match, Jay O’Shea said Friday’s result would only serve to motivate his team to work harder ahead of next weekend’s trip to Bankwest Stadium to face Western Sydney Wanderers.
“It’s disappointing – first home game you’d like to get a positive result and it wasn’t to be tonight,” O’Shea said.
“I think we need to start games a lot quicker and obviously in the second half we had a couple of chances, might’ve got an equaliser but it wasn’t to be on the night.
“We’re not going to make any excuses, obviously we have to work harder now, we’ve got a big game away next week against Western Sydney so that’s going to be a tough one as well.”
GOAL
Victory – Andrew Nabbout 19’ – 0-1
Nabbout slots home under Crocombe after a long ball forward behind the defence by Toivonen.
STORY OF THE GAME
- BRFC Head Coach Robbie Fowler takes charge of his match at Suncorp Stadium while six Roar players make their first appearance at the ground.
- Scott Neville plays his 200th Hyundai A-League match, his performance on the night highlighted by a goal-saving block to deny Victory’s Elvis Kamsoba from point-blank range.
- The Roar’s best chance of the match falls to Roy O’Donovan who fires over after a clever cutback from Jay O’Shea.
- Toivonen almost doubles the visitors lead slamming a free kick against the wood work from 25 metres.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League Round 3: Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Friday, 25 October
Brisbane Roar 0
Melbourne Victory 1 (Nabbout 19’)
Half-time: 0-1
Crowd: 12,859
