A classy striker lit up Suncorp Stadium in the A-League clash on Wednesday night – but unfortunately for North Queensland Fury fans, it wasn’t Robbie Fowler.
While all eyes were on the Liverpool legend, Roar talisman Sergio van Dijk stole the show, completing a classy double in the Brisbane Roar’s 2-0 win that kept their finals hopes alive.
Fowler was the obvious drawcard for the mid-week showdown between the two low-ranked teams – and it clearly worked, drawing the second biggest Brisbane Roar crowd of the season – 11,530.
But there was no prizes for guessing who was the star on Wednesday night – van Dijk.
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek settled into the match hoping to cast his eye on the likes of Roar youngster Tommy Oar and Fury duo Daniel McBreen and David Williams ahead of Australia’s Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait next month.
However, Verbeek would have been forgiven for only having eyes for fellow Dutchman van Dijk.
Feeding off live-wire Henrique, van Dijk caused plenty of headaches before drawing first blood in the 20th minute.
Set up by a Luke DeVere long ball, Henrique once again served as provider and van Dijk converted with a wonderful diving, one-footed effort.
And the Fury were on the rack when van Dijk latched on to a Matt McKay cross after wonderful lead-up work by Oar to make it 2-0 in the 42nd.
Off-contract van Dijk was not giving too much away on his future, despite clearly enjoying reigniting the Roar’s finals chances.
“The focus is on Saturday night against the Central Coast – we want to make something of this season,” he said.
As painful as it was for the Fury to lose after seemingly turning around their season with last round’s 1-0 win over Perth Glory, it could have been worse.
Van Dijk suffered rare bad luck when he failed to snaffle up a Michael Zullo cross in the 66th minute.
And Mitch Nichols appeared to have a golden chance to make it 3-0 when a Massimo Murdocca cross found him with just the keeper to beat in the 76th – but somehow he failed to evade Paul Henderson.
Fowler – still known as “God” by the Liverpool faithful – did have his moments but looked like he needed divine intervention to get the luckless Fury over the line on Wednesday night.
His best chance was in the 16th minute when he was found free in the box but his chip was superbly saved by a one handed Griffin McMaster effort.
Perhaps the Fury’s evening was summed up by the 20th minute goal.
With the exciting Williams down injured, play was allowed to continue as a suddenly 10-man North Queensland failed to hold out the Roar as van Dijk found the back of the net.
Fury coach Ian Ferguson was clearly furious that the game was not stopped so Williams could be replaced or treated.
Verbeek would have been a bit miffed too, seeing that the Fury youngster was robbed of showing his wares ahead of the Asian Cup qualifier.
Roar mentor Ange Postecoglou was pleased with how his side had bounced back from last round’s 1-0 loss to Adelaide United.
The return of Oar, McKay and Ivan Franjic from injury buoyed the Brisbane coach who had endured speculation about the future of the likes of van Dijk.
“We are starting to get the team I want to play,” Postecoglou said.
“I am reading plenty of things about people leaving the club but people aren’t talking about the ones that are here.
“Tommy Oar didn’t play on Saturday night (against Adelaide) – for some reason for a bloke pushing for Socceroos selection one one wanted to mention him.
“But we know what we are doing.
“I thought people saw the future of the Brisbane Roar tonight.”
Meanwhile, Ferguson was still wondering why play wasn’t stopped while Williams (hamstring) was lying on the ground ahead of the Roar’s first goal.
“It was definitely a turning point. I lose one of my better players and lose a goal at the same time,” he said.
“I thought we would be able to come on and make a substitution and he could receive treatment.
“But still it was bad defending once again from us.”
Nick S
Guest
Yeah you're right there, if he was going to commit he would have. Can't blame the guy, he's been around the scene for a while, and whilst I don't know much about him I'm sure he's hoping to win something at some stage before his careers over. And based on the rise and now fall of Brisbane Roar, it won't be with them...
AndyRoo
Guest
I expect a dip for Newcastle to be honest but then back over 10k for SFC. Should be a big away coningent for the GCU game too as a lot of Roar fans will want to sample skilled park.
AndyRoo
Guest
I think serge is gone..... I can't think of any player ever waiting until the end of the season just to re sign with their current club. They normally want to lock up their future asap.
Chook
Guest
Zullo was totally shagged and ran his arse off, Im just saying he look uncomfortable in the position he was at but I think did a good job. It looks like he might have to get use to is because it either Packer or Zullo and I would take Zullo every day it give them a defensive mid who can play the ball. As far as the crowd.....Im not sure I think Fowler did bring some of the crowd. but they got a good Roar performance instead. I think they there are thousands of people who want a good, solid team. To play an attack style of football. i think the roar have finally got some good players that hopefulyl can perform week in week out. Well still probably need another striker, centre / holding mid and defender.
Nick S
Guest
If that is the future for Brisbane Roar I might just have to start going again... Wouldn't it be great to know exactly what caused such a massive crowd increase in the space of just a few days, were 6 000 people there to see Robbie Fowler? Did half or Brisbane suddenly reaslise after the weekend that if nobody shows up soon then the Roar may as well fold? Was it simply that the game was at night? The answer to these questions could solve a lot of Brisbane's problems. On the game itself, Henriquie was amazing, his hustle and energy, when combined with Oar's, McKay's and Zullo's was excellent. Chook, I think you're being hard on Zullo, I would have had him as one of the best on ground. P.S. If big Serge goes I don't think Roar games will be quite the same, having cast aside Miller and Reddy surely everything should be done to keep our next most valuable (aside from Moore)?
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Williams went off rather early (straight after the first goal) was he injured? I was shocked at the crowd, I didn’t bother prepaying and was disappointed all the cheap seats were gone….but happy for the club. I don’t sit in the den and a lot of times seem to be surrounded by people who don’t seem to know the players. Wasn’t the case last night and thankfully someone else had said something disparaging about Van Dyke before I did and Sergio soon made us both look like fools with his first goal. Oar is fantastic. In round one he wasn’t even in the first team of the Roar and now he would be in my side for the Asian Cup qualifiers
Chook
Guest
despite my 2-2 draw and 4,500 crowd prediction I was well chuffed with the 2-0 score line and 11,500 crowd The Den went off and the crowd was pleased with the result im starting to see people clapping when a great tackle is made or a amazing passing occurs, or a team strings together 12 passes to set up a good attack on goal. It was a good game for Brisbane and the team really gelled well, McMaster (8) once again made a great save from a Robbie Fowler chip which in hind sight should of blasted away. Devere (8) , Moore (7.5) and Franjic (7) all played well Franjic looked a little shakey at times but generally played well and give the Roar a attacking back option. The mid field with Saroata , Murdocca (7) , and McKay (8) play so much better, we really missed McKay and Murdocca last week and Saorta (7) with the pressure off him also played alot better. Zullo (7.5) played a defensive / mid role and look out of place at time but really held to together well and as a quicker player ensured no body skinned him. Williams was really the man who Zullo was shuttign down adn did a great job, The Roar played a rotating mid / forward role with Henriquie (9) , and Oar (8) with Van Dijk as the lone striker, once again Oar and Henrequie were awesome and every time they were on the ball were hard to shut down Henrequie gave a pin point cross to Van Dijk from the right from a pass from Moore. McKay gave a similar ball from the left for Van Dijk (8) to knock in. Van Dijk for his part one alot of aball in the air and did what he had to do. McCloughlan, Smits came on later and player ok. For the Fury it was a case of not enough holding mid fielders, I think they should dump, Brockie for Cooke, Cooke had some good presence and gave good service, Fowler ended up playing deeper and deeper to get the ball. I thnk they should play him behind McBreen and to use him as a holding forward to give off ball. Cooke should start every game. Anyway I please the Roar have changed thier performance and I hope the crowds get bigger. I m looking forward to the next home game. with what I saw last night they deserve a place in the finals.