Brisbane Roar take a look back at the club’s season in a three part review continuing from round 10 through to round 18.
The Roar endured a four game losing streak and a change of coaches, but still managed to maintain hopes of a top six finish with victories over Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix.
Round 10: Brisbane Roar 0 Gold Coast United 1 (Porter 31-) at Suncorp Stadium.
The Roar suffered a second straight defeat after falling to a first half strike from Joel Porter against Gold Coast United. In their first game after coach Frank Farina-s sacking, an under-strength Roar endured immense pressure from the opening whistle and fell behind when Joel Porter latched onto former Roar midfielder Tahj Minniecon-s dangerous free-kick. Brisbane tried to pull themselves back into the contest in the second half, but the United defence prevailed with a clean sheet away from home.
Round 11: Central Coast Mariners 3 (Travis 4-, Hutchinson 18-, Bojic 70-) Brisbane Roar 0 at Suncorp Stadium.
The Roar stumbled to a third straight defeat after succumbing to a 3-0 blitz by the Central Coast Mariners. Despite new coach Ange Postecoglou watching from the stands, the Roar trailed early as the Mariner-s Nicky Travis pounced on a loose ball in the box. The Roar faced a mountain to climb after a John Hutchinson strike increased the margin to 2-0. The hosts then took control of the match, but failed to turn possession into goals. A Pedj Bojic strike sealed victory for the Mariners midway through the second half.
Round 12: Sydney FC 1 (Brosque 55-, Kisel 69-) Brisbane Roar 1 (Cernak 72-) at Sydney Football Stadium.
Life under Postecoglou kicked off for the Roar with a 2-1 defeat to Sydney FC. Searching for an end to their run of consecutive defeats, the Roar battled hard against their southern rivals, but fell short of a deserved away point. Both teams drew a 0-0 stalemate during an entertaining first half, but it was former Roar hero, Alex Brosque, who haunted his old club with a second half opening goal. Brosque then turned provider with a well weighted cross-field pass for Karol Kisel to make it 2-0. Young gun Isaka Cernak halved the deficit – his first Hyundai A-league goal – with a crisp finish from Tommy Oar-s pass, but the Roar couldn-t find the back of the net for a second time.
Round 13: Brisbane Roar 1 (van Dijk 36- (pen)) Newcastle Jets 1 (Haliti 32-) at Suncorp Stadium.
The Roar-s string of four straight defeats finally came to an end with a hard-fought 1-1 against the Newcastle Jets. Both goals were scored in the first half, with neither side able to break the deadlock in the second stanza. The Jets started the game brightly and took the lead when Labinot Haliti outjumped the Roar defence and struck a firm header. However, the Roar replied almost immediately, Sergio van Dijk scoring from the penalty spot after Jets- defender Adam D-Apuzzo handled in the area. Both sides searched for the winner in the second half, but the game-s measured style of play provided little in the way of goalmouth activity, forcing the sides to settle for a draw.
Round 14: Adelaide United 0 Brisbane Roar 2 (van Dijk 35- (pen), 51-) at Hindmarsh Stadium.
The Roar earned their first win in five matches after a van Dijk brace sealed a deserved victory over Adelaide United. The win was an all-round team effort with goalkeeper Griffin McMaster pulling off a number of fantastic saves and a superb penalty stop. Both teams searched for the opening goal in an entertaining first half, but it was van Dijk who broke the deadlock, scoring his second penalty in as many weeks. United came out hard in the second half, but were soon chasing a two goal deficit, van Dijk curling a shot from the edge of the area. Adelaide refused to give-up and were awarded a penalty of their own, but McMaster palmed away Llyod Owusu shot and retained a clean sheet for first time since losing to Melbourne Victory in round nine.
Round 15: Brisbane Roar 0 Melbourne Victory 1 (Thompson 😎 at Suncorp Stadium.
The Roar were once again left to rue an early defensive lapse as the Melbourne Victory sealed a 1-0 away win. Determined to build on the success in Adelaide, the Roar were instead left chasing the game as Archie Thompson planted a header in the early stages of the match. The Roar responded positively to the setback, but couldn-t find a way past the Victory-s rearguard. Henrique and Tommy Oar were introduced in the second half as Postecoglou upped the tempo, but the Roar-s fate was sealed when Henrique was shown a straight red card for a deliberate handball.
Round 16: Brisbane Roar 4 (Reinaldo 17-, 56-, van Dijk 79-, Dodd 90-+1) Wellington Phoenix 1 (Greenacre 27-) at Suncorp Stadium.
The Roar returned to the winner-s circle with a triumphant 4-1 victory over the Wellington Phoenix. The Roar owned the early exchanges – Tommy Oar pulling the strings – and took the lead with Reinaldo tapping in from close range. However, the Phoenix drew level ten minutes later with Chris Greenacre heading home from a Leo Bertos corner. Reinaldo grabbed a brace at the start of the second half, before the Phoenix-s Manny Muscat was shown a red card for a foul on Oar. The visitors battled hard with ten men, but van Dijk eased Roar nerves with a scorching free-kick, before defensive utility David Dodd sealed the win with his debut league goal. The victory left the Roar a point off the top six.
Round 17: Perth Glory 1 (Harnwell 78-) Brisbane Roar 1 (DeVere 52-) at ME Bank Stadium.
Brisbane continued its charge on the top six with a valuable 1-1 away draw against Perth Glory. Both sets of players had chances in the first half, but the sides remained level heading into the break. However, the Roar silenced the Glory crowd at the start of the second half, Luke DeVere powering home an Adam Sarota corner for his first Hyundai A-League goal. Van Dijk nearly scored the goal of the season – an audacious shot from inside his own half – but the home side levelled the match when Jamie Harnwell slotted home from close range.
Round 18: Brisbane Roar 0 Adelaide United 1 (Barbiero 78-) at Suncorp Stadium.
The Brisbane Roar returned home, and to another defeat, as a Fabian Barbiero strike stole a 1-0 victory for Adelaide United. The Roar dominated large parts of the game, controlling possession and creating chances, but found Adelaide ‘keeper Eugene Galekovic in inspired form – Van Dijk, Henrique and Dodd all finding the Adelaide custodian in their way. Adelaide had few sights of goal until Roar nemesis Barbiero revived flashbacks of last season-s Preliminary Final with the only goal of the match. United broke quickly downfield and the midfielder raced into the box and nodded home Mathew Leckie-s cross. The Roar had two late chances to snatch a dramatic equaliser, but United hung on for all three points.
For a look at all the action, check out the Season Review – Part Two gallery.
