Brisbane Roar has narrowly gone down in Friday night’s Hyundai A-League clash against Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
A goal to Ritchie De Laet in the 52nd minute proved to be the difference between the sides as the Roar fell just shy of getting a point on the road.
Brisbane Roar Interim Head Coach Darren Davies believes his side played well enough to get something out of the game.
“The game went both ways and we created enough chances,” Davies said post-match.
“Especially late with big opportunities right at the death, we deserved something in the end.”
The Roar and City were locked in a stalemate for the first 25 minutes of play with both sides flexing their muscles.
In the 28th minute, Adam Taggart was denied a goal after a close offside decision from the assistant referee which would have been his tenth goal of season 2018/19.
From there, City closed out the first 45 minutes of play the better of the two sides.
Jamie Young made some terrific saves just either side of half-time off some tracer bullet shots from outside the box, one off the boot of City’s Captain Scott Jamieson.
The Roar pushed hard late into the second half and Henrique provided some real spark of the bench with some dangerous forays forward.
A result for the Roar was there for the taking in the 86th minute as both Nicholas D’Agostino and Éric Bauthéac went close to equalising – the former being denied by Eugene Galekovic.
“We were throwing bodies in the end and we had a double chance right at the death,” Davies concluded.
The Roar are back at home on Tuesday when they take on the Melbourne Victory – get your tickets HERE.
STORY OF THE GAME
- Very little separated the two sides at AAMI Park in Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Round 13 action.
- A fourth goal of the season for Melbourne City’s Ritchie De Laet early in the second half proved to be the difference.
- Midfielders Matt McKay and Alex Lopez were both celebrating game day birthdays.
- Jamie Young added to his highlight reel with several tremendous saves to help keep the Roar within striking distance all game.
- A single goal separated the two sides on Friday night with the Roar unable to find a late equaliser and secure a point on the road.
GOALS
Melbourne City – Ritchie De Laet 52’- 1-0
Ritchie De Laet breaks the deadlock after Rostyn Griffiths sends over a spot-on through ball to before finishing well past Young.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 — Round 13: Melbourne City vs Brisbane Roar
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Friday, 11 January
Melbourne City 1 (De Laet 52’)
Brisbane Roar 0
Half-time: 0-0
