Brisbane Roar has secured a comfortable pre-season win over Sydney FC in Mackay, beating its tradition rivals 5-1.
Brisbane Roar has secured a comfortable pre-season win over Sydney FC in Mackay, beating its tradition rivals 5-1.
A flurry of second half goals secured the win in a solid performance in tricky conditions in the Queensland regional centre.
Brisbane had the better of the forward play early with Thomas Broich and Mitch Nichols both having shots from distance after nine minutes without success.
The pitch made ball control difficult and possession a premium, but Brisbane continued to stick to their free-flowing, attacking game.
The hosts were the first on the scoreboard on 26 minutes when Sydney-s defence let Broich cut all the way across the box, allowing the German the time to pick out the bottom corner with his left foot.
Sydney nearly replied immediately when Terry Antonis was given an equal amount of time to run at the Roar goal, but Michael Theo made a fantastic save down to his right to maintain the lead.
Despite being the dominant team, an unfortunate deflection late in the half cost Brisbane the lead heading into the break.
Brett Emerton fashioned a shot from the edge of the box but despite the Brisbane defence blocking the effort the resultant deflection landed on Mitch Mallia-s head and he didn-t miss from point-blank range.
The start to the second half was end-to-end with Theo forced into another excellent save, this time from Mallia, before Brisbane regained the lead nine minutes after the restart.
Brazilian midfielder Henrique won a loose ball on the edge of the box and played Korean midfielder Do Dong-Hyun down the left and his cross was turned into his own net by Rhyan Grant.
Brisbane went further ahead when Erik Paartalu stabbed home the rebound from his own penalty.
The big midfielder was brought down by Sydney goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic and stepped up to take the spot kick.
Sydney-s keeper made a good save to his right, but Paartalu was on hand to poke home the loose ball.
Ben Halloran then extended the lead further three minutes later with a strong run into the Sydney box before unleashing a shot into the top corner.
Matt Jurman made it five with eight minutes left on the clock with a superb finish.
Substitute Jack Hingert did well to head a far post cross to the feet of Franjic who, in turn, found the feet of Jurman with a deft pass while the big central defender curled his shot into the side of the net.
Brisbane Roar (Broich 26-, Grant (tog 54-), Paartalu 75-, Halloran 78-, Jurman 82-)
Sydney FC (Mallia 45-)
at Virgin Australia Stadium, Mackay
Crowd: 2500
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael Theo (GK), 2. Matt Smith (capt), 3. Shane Stefanutto, 4. Matt Jurman, 5. Ivan Franjic, 6. Erik Paartalu (18. Luke Brattan 78-), 7. Besart Berisha, 10. Henrique ( 19. Jack Hingert 80-), 11. Ben Halloran, 17. Mitch Nichols (16. Do Dong-Hyun 46-), 22. Thomas Broich (8. Massimo Murdocca 59-).
Substitutes not used: 20. Matt Acton (GK)
Yellow cards: Berisha (57-)
Red cards: Nil
Sydney FC: 2. Sebastian Ryall, 3. Fabio, 7. Brett Emerton (25. Daniel Petkovski 46-), 12. Blake Powell (11. Dimmi Petratos 46-), 14. Mitch Mallia, 15. Terry McFlynn (9. Paul Reid 46-), 17. Terry Antonis (19. Kruno Lovrek 62-), 18. Trent McClenahan (24. Hagi Gligor 46-), 20. Vedran Janjetovic (GK), 22. Ali Abbas, 23. Rhyan Grant.
Substitutes not used: 1. Ivan Necevski.
Yellow cards: Emerton (43-), Grant (52-)
Red cards: Nil
