By Wayne Heming
October 31st 2009 @ 1:36am
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Roar fail to impress as they limp to draw with Jets
Brisbane have avoided a club record fifth consecutive A-League loss but failed to impress in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium.
The return of seasoned performers Danny Tiatto, who lasted 72 minutes before fatigue and soreness forced him off, and captain Craig Moore at the back gave Brisbane a more assured look.
But they couldn’t find the match winner after the scores were locked at halftime ensuring there was no relief for new coach Ange Postecoglou.
“We conceded a bad goal again and that’s something we’ve got to stop doing,” said Postecoglou.
“We’re not desperate enough in the box at times.
“We had three defenders and a goal keeper against one player and he scores.
“It’s just not good enough.”
The Roar’s best chance to get a result came early in the second half when Sergio Van Dijk almost headed home a lovely cross from Tiatto.
All up the home side had eight shots at goal but Jets keeper Ben Kennedy was on song for most of the night.
The contest had come alive in the 32nd minute when Labinot Haliti headed home a floating cross from Michael Bridges after Roar midfielder Matt McKay had been dispossessed to give the Jets a 1-0 lead.
Newcastle looked more dangerous as both teams played an expansive, attacking opening 30 minutes, spreading the ball wide.
A handball in the box by Adam D’Apuzzo as he defended an Isaka Cernak corner provided the equaliser with Van Dijk driving a low shot into the right hand corner in the 36th minute.
Kennedy moved a fraction late but almost managed to get a fingertip to Van Dijk’s kick.
Jets coach Branko Culina felt Brisbane would have panicked had his side been able to go in at half time leading 1-0.
“The penalty was a mistake, it was a penalty, that’s football,” he said.
“Had we been able to keep the lead at half time they may have been rattled in the second half.”
Despite the scrap Postecoglou remained upbeat.
“I’m super positive about the future,” he said.
“I look at our squad and when I think about the players we’ve got and possibilities when we get everyone fit and ready, we can match anyone.
“We needed a win tonight for the boys because they worked hard last week and got no reward and they got a little reward tonight.
“There’s no doubts in my head but for the players, going through a trot like that and everything that’s happened, there’s probably some doubts in their head.”
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