Brisbane Roar’s unbeaten run in the Hyundai A-League has stretched to four matches following a 2-2 draw with Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
First half goals from Jamie Maclaren were cancelled out by two City strike in quick succession in the final 45 as the points were shared in Melbourne.
Head Coach John Aloisi was disappointed with the result but was proud of his players’ performance.
“We’re disappointed with the result because we felt than when we went 2-0 up in the second half we had chances to punish Melbourne City and the game ended up evening itself out,” Aloisi said.
“In the end, we’re disappointed, but proud of the players who gave their everything.”
Both sides struggled to test the keepers at either end as a freekick from Manuel Arana was the only shot to find the target in the opening 20 minutes.
The Roar warmed to the occasion and a quick counter-attack orchestrated by Brett Holman brought about a golden opportunity for Brandon Borrello who was only denied by a well-timed challenge from a rushing Thomas Sorensen.
Brisbane took a strong advantage into the break, finding the net net twice in the shadows of half-time.
The first came shortly after the half-hour mark as Jamie Maclaren converted from the penalty spot for his ninth goal of the season.
An exquisite turn from Arana provided the pathway to the Roar’s and Maclaren’s second of the night as the number nine calmly finished into the bottom corner to double the lead in stoppage time.
The Roar had an opportunity to extend the lead minutes after the restart but a link of electric passing involving a number of players didn’t get the ending it deserved.
The hosts cut the deficit in half with half-hour to go as Bruce Kamau squeezed City’s first shot on target inside the near post.
Brisbane immediately marched up the other end as the leg of Thomas Sorensen denied Maclaren bagging his third.
City returned to the other end quickly and restored parity from the penalty spot as Nicolas Colazo benefited from a foul on Nick Fitzgerald.
The match turned into a toughly-fought battle as both sides searched for a go-ahead goal.
A winner eluded both sides who shared the points which sees the Roar consolidate third spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
Goals
34′: Borrello is fouled in the area by Josh Rose and referee Alan Milliner points to the spot. Jamie Maclaren steps up to penalty spot and fires a bullet straight down the middle. 0-1
45+1′: Arana turns and lets the ball run ahead of him before playing Maclaren in behind the last man leaving a well-taken finish from the striker to double the lead. 0-2
59′: Bruce Kamau has a metre of space inside the area and manages to squeeze City’s first shot on target inside the near post. 1-2
61′: Nick Fitzgerald gets the benefit of the doubt from the referee and earns the game’s second spot-kick. Nicolas Colazo sends Michael Theo the wrong way and restores parity. 2-2
Talking point
Fullback Dane Ingham made his Hyundai A-League debut, playing a full 90 minutes in the Roar’s back four while Nick D’Agostino played his first minutes of the season, replacing Jamie Maclaren in the second half.
What they said
Brisbane Roar captain MATT MCKAY: “Full credit to our staff who got us up for the game and it was just a five-minute lapse that cost us.
“They had some dangerous periods but I thought we ran out the game well.
“We started well and we have to deal with these rotations after qualifying for the [AFC] Champions League which we will.”
Brisbane Roar defender & DEFENDER OF THE MATCH COREY BROWN: “I think we’re all disappointed. The boys were in good spirits and I think we let two points slip especially with a two-goal lead.
“Being a defender i’m disappointed we didn’t keep the clean sheet. It is what it is and we’ll move on to next week now.”
What’s next?
The Roar face a long trip across to the west to face Perth Glory at NIB Stadium on Saturday, 18 February (9pm KO QLD time) before returning to Brisbane to commence the 2017 AFC Champions League campaign against Thai outfit Muangthong United at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday, 21 February (7pm KO).
Match Stats
Hyundai A-League Round 19, Melbourne City FC v Brisbane Roar FC, Saturday 11 February 2017 at AAMI Park
Melbourne City 2 (Kamau 58′, Colazo 61′ p)
Brisbane Roar 2 (Maclaren 34′ p, 45+1′)
Half-time: 0-2
