The Roar produced a spirited performance but were unable to topple reigning premiers Auckland FC, who secured a 2-0 win at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night in front of more than 9000 fans.
Auckland opened the scoring in the sixth minute when the Roar failed to clear a corner at the far post, allowing striker Sam Cosgrove to bundle the ball home from close range.
Over the next 30 minutes, both sides enjoyed periods of possession and pushed into the opposition’s third. Cosgrove continued to threaten, but goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis and the Roar defence held firm to deny the Black Knights’ striker a second goal.
In the closing minutes of the first half, the Roar created two dangerous chances. In the 43rd minute, English striker Chris Long broke clear, surged into the centre, and unleashed a long-range strike that flashed wide of the top corner. Minutes later, Georgios Vrakas found space in the box, turned, and fired a powerful shot, only for Auckland keeper Michael Woud to collect at the near post.
The opening 20 minutes of the second half remained tightly contested, with most of the action in midfield.
Auckland added to their lead in the 73rd minute however, when Lachlan Brook latched onto a through ball down the right flank, cut it back, and curled in a powerful strike that rebounded off the far post and into the net.
Following the introduction of young substitutes Emmett Shaw and Quinn MacNicol in the 77th minute, momentum shifted in the Roar’s favour and they crafted three strong chances in quick succession involving 17-year-old MacNicol, Youstin Salas, and Noah Maieroni. However, the Roar were unable to convert their late opportunities, with the away side collecting all three points.
After a period of 4 matches in 10 days, the Roar will now see their schedule return to normal, with a trip to Perth next Saturday to face the Glory.
