Brisbane Roar was gallant in defeat as they lost 1-0 to Perth Glory in their opening clash of their Hyundai A-League 2012/13 campaign at Patersons Stadium.
Brisbane Roar was gallant in defeat as they lost 1-0 to Perth Glory in their opening clash of their Hyundai A-League 2012/13 campaign at Patersons Stadium.
A late header from Glory-s Billy Mehmet proved the difference in an entertaining and sometimes fiery encounter as Brisbane struggled to convert any of their chances in front of goal.
In no change to their usual attacking style of play, the Roar held onto the majority of possession in the game-s early stages.
Two set pieces from Thomas Broich saw him cleverly pick out the head of fellow midfielder Erik Paartalu, but on both occasions, Brisbane-s big no. 6 sent his headers agonisingly wide.
The best chance for the Roar to break the deadlock fell with just three minutes left in the first half when youngster Nick Fitzgerald forced a quick save from Danny Vukovic with a powerful strike.
The home side lifted their intensity in the next 45 minute period but Brisbane continued to fashion chances in front of goal with Massimo Murdocca particularly lively after his introduction after 73 minutes.
The pint-sized midfielder proved to be a handful in the middle of the park, even seeing a long-range effort deflect unluckily off captain Matt Smith in the match-s final moments.
Just when it seemed the match was heading to a stalemate, Perth found the back of the net through their own influential substitute.
Mehmet-s clinical header put Perth in front with just three minutes left to play.
Brisbane Roar Head Coach Rado Vidosic took the positives from his side-s performance.
“I was disappointed by the result but the performance was quite good,” Vidosic said.
“Aside from the early part of the second half, I thought we controlled the game and certainly created more chances.
“Now, we get to play at home against Melbourne Victory in another big game.”
Brisbane Roar face Melbourne Victory next Saturday, October 13 in their first home fixture of the season. Kick-off at Suncorp Stadium is at 6.45pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Perth Glory 1 (Billy MEHMET 88-)
Brisbane Roar 0
Sunday, 7 October 2012
Patersons Stadium, Perth
Referee: Ben Williams
Crowd: 14,385
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEO (gk), 2. Matt SMITH (c), 3. Shane STEFANUTTO, 4. Matt JURMAN, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Besart BERISHA, 11. Ben HALLORAN, 17. Mitch NICHOLS (8. Massimo MURDOCCA 73-), 19. Jack HINGERT, 22. Thomas BROICH, 24. Nick FITZGERALD (16. DO Dong-Hyun 77-)
Substitutes not used: 13. Yuji TAKAHASHI, 20. Matt ACTON
Yellow cards: Mitch NICHOLS 34-, Shane STEFANUTTO 45+1-, Besart BERISHA 45+3-, DO Dong-Hyun 89-
Red cards: Nil
Perth Glory: 1. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 3. Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 7. Jacob BURNS (c), 8. Dean HEFFERNAN (6. Nick WARD 70-), 9. Shane SMELTZ (2. Billy MEHMET 83-), 10. Liam MILLER, 13. Travis DODD, 14. Steve McGARRY, 19. Josh RISDON, 21. Scott JAMIESON, 23. Michael THWAITE
Substitutes not used: 5. Steve PANTELIDIS, 39. Devon SPENCE (gk)
Yellow cards: Liam MILLER 35-, Jacob BURNS 81-, Travis DODD 85-
Red cards:Nil
