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Following a slow start from both teams, the Brisbane Roar well and truly flexed their muscles in the second half of the opening stanza and took a 4-0 win.
REPORT: ROAR DESTORY LACKLUSTRE MARINERS
Jade North’s fifth career A-League goal saw the home team go ahead after 20 minutes as shocking defending from the Mariners allowed the centre back to rise highest following a headed-on free kick and nod home from close range.
There was just a solitary chance for the Mariners as some fine footwork from Fabio Ferreira saw him find Josh Bingham who failed to beat Michael Theo from close range. After that it was one-way traffic as the Roar produced chance after chance through forward trio Brandon Borrello, Jamie Maclaren and Dimitri Petratos.
The second eventually came through Maclaren as a Petratos cross was well controlled by the striker and then slammed home from close range in a true striker’s finish on 36 minutes. From there, the possession statistics just went further in favour of John Aloisi’s men as the visitors ached for the halftime whistle.
The second half saw the introduction of Luis Garcia as manager Tony Walmsley looked to spark his young side into action. It was to no avail however, as the 59th minute saw Corona extend Brisbane’s lead with a wonderfully taken first touch effort from outside the area.
Possession continued to be dominated by John Aloisi’s side as the Mariners’ afternoon went from bad to worse as Harry Ascroft felled Jamie Maclaren giving away a penalty and earning himself a sending off in the process.
Substitute Henrique stepped up to slot home from the penalty spot and the scorer’s afternoon was over. The final minutes saw further probing from the Roar as shot after shot missed the target.
The final whistle sounded to signify that Brisbane Roar went top of the Hyundai A-League at least until the completion of Western Sydney Wanderers’ clash with Melbourne Victory this evening. Meanwhile, the Mariners remain stone cold last following another shocking performance.
Fulltime
Brisbane Roar – 4
Central Coast Mariners – 0
It’s last versus second as the Central Coast Mariners make the trek up to Suncorp Stadium to take on the Brisbane Roar. Can Luis Garcia’s influence help Tony Walmsley’s men upset the Roar to make it back-to-back victories? Join The Roar from 5:15pm (AEDT) for all the action.
Brisbane the Central Coast are separated by 19 points, however both sides share the same form guides, having won two and drawn one in their last five league matches.
Additionally, they registered the same score lines last weekend – the Roar thrashed Sydney FC 3-1, and the Mariners did the same in romping past the Wellington Phoenix in Christchurch.
However, the home side have held serious wood over the visitors in the past – a win here would see the Roar extend their streak against the Mariners to five matches, their equal longest against any individual opponent.
The boys from Brisbane have hit the net eight times in their past two meetings with today’s opponents.
On the other side of the ledger, Central Coast are vying for their first consecutive victories since November 2012, and will rely on a reinvigorated attacking unit headed by former Liverpool and Barcelona star Luis Garcia.
Garcia came off the bench in Perth to inspire his side to victory with an assist and a classy back-heel goal of his own. Walmsley will be tempted to unleash his marquee man from the start at Suncorp, if he does so it will be Garcia’s first time in the Mariners starting XI since coming out of retirement just weeks ago.
The Roar are two points behind league leaders Western Sydney Wanderers as the race for the minor premiership heats up. If John Aloisi’s side are to be considered genuine contenders, they must walk away with three points against their cellar-dwelling opponents today.
Contrastingly, despite their weak start to the season, the Mariners sit just 14 points from the all-important sixth place, meaning a finals berth is not off the cards yet. It would take a miracle, but technically the hope is still alive, and it all starts by stringing a few wins together!
Last week the Roar welcomed back Olyroo representatives Jamie Maclaren and Brandon Borrello, who proved the difference against Sydney FC.
This week, they are further bolstered by the return of Shane Stefanutto from injury, while their opponents are boosted by the returns of skipper Nick Montgomery, youngster Harry Ascroft and wicketkeeper Alastair Bray.
Prediction
Brisbane Roar 3-1 Central Coast Mariners
Join The Roar from 5:15pm (AEDT) for all the action from Suncorp.
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