The Brisbane Roar are looking to break the Round of 32 in the FFA Cup for the first time in three years when they take on A-League grand finalists Melbourne Victory. Catch all the live scores, highlights and blog on The Roar from 7:30pm (AEST).
The Roar have suffered first round defeats in the FFA Cup two years in a row, losing to the Perth Glory in 2016, one year after a 1-0 defeat to the Wanderers.
They’ll be out to end their string of early exits from the competition, looking to break a run that has seen them win just a single game in the Cup since its inception.
For the Victory, they have a much more pleasant history behind them, winning the Cup in 2015 before losing out to cross-town rivals, Melbourne City last year, 2-0.
Both sides are coming off strong A-League campaigns across the 2016/17 season.
The Victory took out consolation top spot in second on the ladder thanks to a record-breaking season from premiers Sydney FC.
Brisbane finished just one position back in third in a tight battle for Asian Champions League positions.
Brisbane snuck past the Wanderers in a thrilling penalty shootout in the first week of the finals, before a second half goal from Besart Berisha sunk the Roar in their semi-final clash with the Victory.
While Melbourne got the edge over today’s opponent, they fell agonisingly short of the title, losing in a penalty shootout to Sydney FC in the grand final.
“A prize is a prize, and it’s there to be won we are definitely up for the challenge, especially when you look at other results already where A-League teams have been knocked out,” said Brisbane player Brett Holman.
Prediction
This is a hard one to pick.
Melbourne look to be the better side on paper and have that semi-final win under the belt. This will be a strong test for both sides to kick off the new season.
The Roar could be looking at another early exit as they continue a poor run in the FFA Cup
Victory to win 2-0.
Join The Roar for live coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME A strong showing and a warning to the rest of the Cup from Melbourne Victory in their first game of the 2017 Cup, continuing the horror run of Brisbane in the FFA Cup since it's inception. A scrappy game in the first half saw Melbourne find the back of the net twice within nine minutes thanks to Mitch Austin and James Troisi, but it was after the halftime break that saw things get interesting. Melbourne were awarded back to back spot kicks inside the first four minutes of the second half, converting both to take a rapid 4-0 lead after 50 minutes of football. The second stanza saw the game open up as Brisbane tried to get on the board, but their lack of execution hurt them in the end and the Victory were just too good. A second goal for Besart Berisha in the 73rd minute sealed the game for good. The Roar were able to snag the definition of a consolation goal in the 90th minute thanks to a pearler of a goal from Skapetis into the back of the net but there was little to celebrate for Brisbane. Brisbane – 1 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +2 Melbourne killing time now as the clock winds down. Brisbane look keen to have a crack at goal number two but the whistle is imminent. Brisbane – 1 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +1 A blemish on the Melbourne win but a beauty of a consolation goal for the Roar faithful and it's actually the first ever goal for the Roar against an A-League side in their FFA Cup history. Brisbane – 1 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' GOAL BRISBANE!! There it is!! Something to send the fans home happy with and what a goal it was!! Petros Skapetis sinks a peach of a shot, running across from the right edge of the box, opening up the angle and curling in a beauty off the left boot to beat Thomas who had his concrete shoes on and all he could do was watch it sail into the left edge of the net. Fantastic strike from the young man. Brisbane – 1 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
89' Swift ball movement from Victory, shifting from the left edge to the top of the box with Hope... and HOPE SHOOTS!! But his shot takes a deflection and the score remains at five. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
88' Scrappy contact inside the box from Ingham and the Roar win a free kick next to their own net. They're making a meal of clearing out of their own half at the moment though. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
87' A nice curling delivery on the corner but it's the melon of a Roar shirt that makes contact, clearing out of the box. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
86' Poor clearance at the back from the Roar and Mitch Austin is there to take it back in towards the box, firing off a low cross in front of goal but Brisbane are able to clear. Corner coming up for Victory. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
85' Melbourne taking their time now, they're happy to see the clock wind down. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
84' Holman does well to keep the ball in play down the right side... but they give away the free kick and the opportunity goes begging once again. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
83' Maccarone showing he still has some wheels on him for a veteran of the game, chasing down the long through ball as Brisbane look to find the back of the net. They're struggling to find the penalty area though but they continue to push. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
82' SUBSTITUTION Third and final change for Melbourne with Cameron McGilp coming on for a run around. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
81' Brisbane looking to jump on the counter here... but the Victory defence is very quick to transition and the Roar have been shut down. Superb defending. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' SUBSTITUTION Another change for Melbourne, taking off James Troisi who had an active 80 minutes of football, bringing on Josh Hope as the replacement. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' Inside the final ten minutes now, can the Roar muster up something for the home fans? Or will the Victory snag another one to add to the pain? Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
79' A foul off the throw in? You don't see that very often, even when it is they usually let it go, but Chris Beath wants none of it!! Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
78' Oxborrow looking to open his Brisbane account on the edge of the box but they can't breach the walls once again. They've been pretty poor with execution tonight and the scoreline shows it. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
77' The Roar pushing through the midfield, finding some open space and searching down the right wing but the Victory are stern in defence. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5
Connor Bennett
Editor
76' SUBSTITUTION Jai Ingham makes his way onto the park for the first time tonight in place of dual-goal scorer Besart Berisha. Brisbane – 0 Melbourne – 5