A late goal from defender Ivan Franjic has seen Brisbane Roar grab a 1-1 draw to stretch their unbeaten streak in the Hyundai A-League to 12 games after a tough derby day against North Queensland Fury.
Brisbane-s ‘never say die- attitude was again on show, continuing to heap pressure on their opposition and found the winner with five minutes left on the clock after the visitors opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes of the game.
North Queensland-s David Williams sent a low, teasing ball from the right wing that was met by the run of Gareth Edds, who slotted home from inside the six yard box to stun the home crowd early.
Spurred on by the vocal home crowd, Brisbane found their stride and pushed for an equaliser, Franjic going closest in the 16th minute with a shot that bounced dangerously off the cross bar.
Franjic continued to explore the Roar-s attacking options on down the right flank and just after the hour mark delivered an inch-perfect cross into the penalty box but the runs of his teammates were too late to make any vital touches.
Brisbane-s space on the ball was being closed down quicker and more effectively than they were used to by the Fury but they continued to hold the advantage with possession on the park.
The chances were shared as the halftime whistle approached, former Roar young gun Isaka Cernak trying his luck for the Fury with a long range effort while Erik Paartalu-s headed effort from a Matt McKay corner was easily saved by North Queensland custodian Justin Pasfield.
An injury to dependable defender Matt Smith-s lower back then forced Milan Susak into the fray but despite Brisbane-s push in the attacking third, the home side went into the break trailing by the lone goal.
Deciding it was time for a slight change in his plan of attack, Roar coach Ange Postecoglou replaced midfield workhorse Massimo Murdocca with striker Jean Carlos Solorzano on the 45 minute mark.
Brisbane tested the Fury defence with two McKay free kicks early in the second stanza but it was Jason Spagnuolo who had the best opportunity to score next when he sent the ball the wrong side of the upright with an empty net in front of him.
At the other end of the park, Brisbane looked to have their equaliser when Jean Carlos Solorzano zipped through the Fury defence and was in clear sight of goal but he was deemed offside by referee Alan Milliner and his assistant.
The men in orange were looking lively with Solorzano especially making a nuisance of himself within the North Queensland back four.
On 67 minutes, he was found by a Reinaldo pass and while he was being closed in by three opposing defenders, he did well to get to make a connection with the ball but swung the left-footed effort wide.
Central defender Luke DeVere then had two well-timed headers in front of goal but it was the hardworking Franjic who finally put Brisbane level in the 85th minute.
Latching on to a flick on by Reinaldo, Franjic controlled the ball and sent a low, driving strike past Pasfield into the corner of the net to extend Brisbane-s unbeaten run to 12 games.
Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou applauded the effort of his team but admitted that North Queensland put on a strong display at Suncorp Stadium.
“I didn-t think it was going to come tonight to be honest,” he said.
“We had to work hard pretty hard for it and it was a tough night for the boys but I guess once again they played a game right out until the end and got the goal.
“Credit to the Fury, they came here with a plan and it worked well for them.
“We-re in the middle of a grind and we-re just getting through it.
“To the boys’ credit they tried hard tonight, but it was really laboured but you can-t question the commitment of the players.”
Brisbane Roar (Ivan FRANJIC 85-)
North Queensland Fury (Gareth EDDS 9-)
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Alan Milliner
Crowd: 10,126
Brisbane Roar line-up: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH (23. Milan SUSAK 43-), 3. Luke DEVERE, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA (9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO 45-), 11. REINALDO, 12. Matt MUNDY (17. Mitch NICHOLS 65-), 15. Matt McKAY (c), 22. Thomas BROICH
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Andrew REDMAYNE
Yellow Cards: Jean Carlos SOLORZANO 59-, Kosta BARBAROUSES 64-
Red Cards: Nil
North Queensland Fury line-up: 1. Justin PASFIELD (gk), 3. Bradley McDONALD, 5. Mark HUGHES, 6. Ufuk TALAY (c) (13. Andre KILIAN 79-), 7. Gareth EDDS, 11. David WILLIAMS, 12. Panagiotis NIKAS, 16. Simon STOREY, 17. Osama MALIK, 19. Isaka CERNAK (2. Jack HINGERT 74-), 21. Jason SPAGNUOLO
Substitutes Not Used: 15. Chris PAYNE, 28. Sebastian USAI (gk)
Yellow Cards: Simon STOREY 49-, Ufuk TALAY 51-, Andre KILIAN 88-
Red Cards: Nil
