Brisbane outclass Fury in Queensland derby

Brisbane Roar extended their run of dominance in the Hyundai A-League after they dispatched the North Queensland Fury 2-0 in a Queensland derby at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday night. Two goals either side of half-time was enough to send the Roar ten points clear at the top of the ladder while the Fury’s season is now hanging by a thread.

Earlier in the week the Fury received a huge boost with the news former English Premier League defender Mark Hughes had rejected two lucrative deals and opted to remain at North Queensland Fury until the battling A-League club's fate is decided. However their luck ran out just hours before kick off with striker Dyron Daal having to withdraw with injury.

On the other hand the high flying Brisbane outfit were also without one of their front men as Brazilian striker Reinaldo left the club midweek to join Qatari club Al-Ahli.

However, it was the Roar’s in form New Zealand striker Kosta Barbarouses who was to grab the headlines as he netted two goals to make it seventeen games without defeat for Brisbane.

Brisbane caught North Queensland off guard early on when they took a lead after just seven minutes with a bit of individual brilliance from Barbarouses. After gathering a superb long ball from Thomas Broich, Barbarouses rounded Fury goalkeeper Justin Pasfield to slot the ball home.

Brisbane almost doubled their advantage just minutes later when Ivan Franjic unleashed from long range, his shot grazing the crossbar and going over to the relief of the North Queensland fans.

For the Fury the chances were few and far between and to cap off a frustrating night the North Queenslanders blew a glorious opportunity to equalise in the 27th minute.

Following a trademark burst down the right flank from David Williams the ball was switched to the left to Jason Spagnuolo whose cross found Gareth Edds in the box. However unfortunately for the Fury Edds couldn’t strike the ball with any conviction resulting in an easy save for Brisbane goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos.

Socceroos international Matt Mckay did his chances no harm of claiming a spot in the 2011 Asian Cup with an imposing midfield display.

His midfield prowess helped Brisbane double their advantage as his perfectly weighted through ball spit the Fury’s defence. Barbarouses was at once capitalising on the opportunity as he guided the ball through Pasfields legs and into the back of the net in the 76th minute.

In response the Fury rallied to try and find a way back into the contest, but it was to no avail with Roar holding on to firmly cement their position at the top of the ladder sending the crowd of 4,412 home in disappointment.