Brisbane pass Victory test with flying colours

It was second vs fifth in the Saturday night Round 11 Hyundai A-League clash at Suncorp Stadium.

Brisbane Roar started very strongly and settled into the kind of form they have displayed all season long with good combinations in midfield with a high tempo and work rate.

On 6 minutes from the first corner of the match, the mid-week hero Ivan Franjic slapped a volley on target from a half clearance by the Victory. Franjic clearly high on confidence coming into tonight's fixture.

Melbourne Vic found the going tough in the first fifteen but without warning Ricardinho unleashed a shot on target from range but Michael Theoklitos was equal to it, getting across to save expertly from his top left corner.

On 17 minutes after some good interplay between Massimo Murdocca and Reinaldo left Melbourne Victory Captain Kevin Muscat became exposed, electing to bring down Murdocca. From the resulting free German Thomas Broich swung the free in but to no effect.

As the game approached the 20 minute mark, Melbourne began to assert themselves more in possession. Carlos Hernandez shot from an acute angle which caught Theoklitos by surprise, spilling the ball which was hurriedly cleared by the Roar.

As the Roar drum troupe began to fire up, the Brisbane side fired up too. A cross was fired in low by Franjic and Reinaldo used the pace to good effect but Michael Petkovic got down well to save.

A well worked corner straight from the training park taken short caught Melbourne by surprise, after an Eric Paartalu flick-on hit Nichols in space at the back post who could not miss. A 1-0 lead early to Brisbane Roar.

On 30 minutes a beautiful Brisbane free kick whipped in met the head of Paartalu for the second time in five minutes. Petkovic saved well.

The air raids continued from the resulting corner as Reinaldo just missed the mark with his rocket header.

Brisbane had great structure not only in attack but also in defence as the game drew closer to half time. Pressing high up the pitch has been a feature of the Oranje play all season long making it hard for visiting teams to settle in possession at Suncorp.

Ernie Merrick saw the need for change as he withdrew Mate Dugandzic in favour of Leigh Broxham, in the process switching to a back three and loading the midfield to try to arrest quality possession from the Roar.

Straight after half time the Victory broke through. Good enterprise from substitute Leigh Broxham linking up well with each member of the Victory midfield released Robbie Kruse who had plenty to do before knocking it past Theoklitos in goals. Kruse celebrated his goal with extra vigour (but little valour in kissing the 'V' badge) before his old club's fan base in The Den. 1-1.

The game continued to pulsate from end to end, both sides enjoying quality
possession from the restart.

It was Brisbane Roar who had the next clear chance after Ivan Franjic missed a sitter after a deflected Broich strike which had fallen into his lap. Instead of taking a touch which indeed Franjic had time to do, he attempted a considerably more difficult first time strike across his shoulder.

Ernie Merrick could be very pleased with his contribution as the game hit the hour mark. His efforts to crowd out the midfield had paid dividends. Roar coach Ange Postecoglou did not miss a beat in summoning pace in Costa Rican Salorzano and Kostas Barbarouses to make old Victory legs work harder.

Melbourne Victory were not to be stopped though enjoying good possession and quick movement of the ball of their own.

In the 77th minute after excellent pressure from the Victory, centre back Luke De Vere initiated a slalom run from half way. Effectively acting as a libero, beating three Victory defenders he was caught in possession just as he was about to pull the trigger. The ball was not cleared though as the ball fell to Costa Rican Salorzano, whose prayers prior to entering the field of play were answered. Salorzano has his first ever A-League goal and what a time to score it! Brisbane 2-1 with 12 minutes to go.

Merrick immediately removed Grant Brebner in favour of a more attacking option in yet the game's third Costa Rican, Marvin Angulo.

Postecoglou immediately returned serve putting Rocky Visconte into the action for Thomas Broich who began to look a little off the pace.

As the game neared full time there was one man who did not go to sleep: Michael Theokiltos. Firstly Carlos Hernandez unleashed fury from distance with a stinging drive which bent viciously away from the Roar 'keeper.

Then from the resulting corner the ball dropped to Adrian "Princess" Leijer who stabbed it goalward. Only the cunning of Theo kept a rampant Victory at bay and secured three points for the Oranje.

As the final whistle sounded a Grand Final like atmosphere enveloped Suncorp Stadium. A massive test passed by the Roar as they keep pace with Adelaide United only three points adrift of the Reds at the summit of the Hyundai A-League table.

Crowd 9500 approx.

Strangely enough Victory (6.4) are still second in the A-League market on Betfair ahead of Brisbane (7.4) who are third favourites. Remember that The Football Sack readers get a $50 free bet when they join up to Betfair through the link below!
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