Macarthur FC captain Ulises Davila scored in his 100th A-League Men match and played a starring role in his side’s 3-1 win over Brisbane Roar.
After notching a hat-trick in his previous match, Davila gave the Bulls the lead in the 16th minute at Suncorp Stadium and was influential in the lead-up to fellow forward Raphael’s second-half strike.
The win was the Bulls’ first in seven matches and took them to fourth place on the ALM ladder.
Davila and right winger Jed Drew combined superbly throughout the match, which was played in driving rain.
Drew, 20, has struggled with his end product, but came to the fore with an assist for Davila’s goal and one of his own.
In the 16th minute a blunder at the back by Roar defender Ryan Lethlean conceded possession to Drew, who cut the ball back to Davila.
The skipper calmly sidefooted it into the corner of the net, giving Roar goalkeeper Macklin Freke no chance.
In the 53rd minute Davila combined with Drew, who found Valere Germain wide on the right. Germain’s pinpoint cross was finished by Raphael.
Six minutes later Raphael hit the post, and hungry Drew was there to make it 3-0.
Roar forward Jonas Markovski got one back for his side, but it was too little too late.
Macarthur coach Mile Sterjovski was very pleased with the result and the performance, and delighted with the Drew and Davila show.
“I think that kind of performance was coming from Jed. He’s getting better with each game,” he said.
“We still have to remember he is quite young, but I was very pleased that he got an assist and a goal.
“(Davila) has been great for us. He has been in good form and we hope it keeps going.
“In each of the three draws we (previously) had we had chances to win. I think we are on the right track, and this win is a great boost for confidence.”
Valere Germain of Macarthur FC celebrates a goal. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)
Brisbane substitute Keegan Jelacic, in his first game back in the ALM after a stint in Belgium, was given a red card in the closing minutes for a rash challenge on Clayton Lewis.
Attacking midfielder Florin Berenguer had earlier failed a late fitness test in a blow to the hosts.
Brisbane started the game with plenty of intent, but lacked polish in the box.
Roar winger Nikola Mileusnic had a clear view of goal from close range in the 47th minute, but missed the target.
It was the story of the night for Brisbane, who lost their third game in a row at Suncorp for the first time since 2019.
Coach Ben Cahn said there was “a lot to be disappointed about” with the performance.
“We didn’t have the quality in the front third and we didn’t create enough,” he said.
Waz
Roar Rookie
It is.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
There are so many controversies in Brisbane Roar. +Corey Brown sacked then re-employed. +Jez Lofthouse: some fans and coaches like him, some not. +Trani bought his student (Lethlean who is very young and has no A-league experience) and played him immediately. +Ross Aloisi: started well, then left. +Left Suncorp then returned It is like watching a circus.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
yep, he is a sneaky one. United Round he was lying on ground staging for a free kick, play went on for 30 seconds, he finally gets up and within seconds heads in a nice goal.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Youngest Roar coach for sure, I’m not sure about ALM. Ben Cahn’s Olympic, much to the amusement of SEQ Football, couldn’t nail Grand Finals … but could win the Title. Young coaches need good support around them - mentors, experienced Assistants (which is why the loss of Trani mid season surprises me), and some patience: he’s basically still learning.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Ben Cahn is 35. Isn’t he the youngest A-league head coach ever? According to a report, he has got A-lience. However, when coaching, all of his 5 finale experiences were failure.
Garry
Roar Rookie
On a side note I donty know if this is keepup related but Im unable to find any football writeup on Fridays games. I tried a google, the Guardian and ABC to no avail. If the $40m is spent on A League events Id have no objection!
Waz
Roar Rookie
Especially when he’s got an injured opponent by the throat
Waz
Roar Rookie
I do like Waddingham, I’ve met him, I’ve seen him play youth football. He is a fine, strong, footballer. Nice character - ticks most of the boxes. There’s several questions surrounding him: Is he good enough to lead the line in the A League? (No imo) Is he experienced enough to play as a solo striker in a 433 or 4231? (No, again imo) Is he developing as a striker this season? (No) Is there a risk Roar could break his confidence by playing him again and again? (Yes) So it’s not a pretty picture and taking him off at half time reflects that picture. Roar need a senior striker but they’re too tight to buy one (there’s plenty out there). The best use of Waddingham now is as an impact Sub, but that would leave Roar short of a striker as the squad is really thin so I’d suggest moving to a 442 and starting Waddingham and Markovski together. I know it’s inconvenient for the clap-happy mob but there has been no rebuild and management have failed to deliver on anything. On Trani, his reputation in football is rock solid so I’ll ignore your little jibe.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
High quality player just lacks athletically and has trouble adapting to differing conditions. Mexican league you have teams at high altitude and then some teams on the coast with heat. You have the same things going on in South America some clubs on the coast tropical conditions and then some clubs at extreme altitudes.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Your posts on the Roar dont make any sense. Ok you dont like Waddingham we have seen that before. If Trani was at my club, I would volunteer to take him on a rickshaw to the airport after conceeding 8 goals when he was in charge. Anyone supporting Trani after that make no sense.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
Davila is a great player to watch
Waz
Roar Rookie
This game summed up what a flop the promised “rebuilding” has been. . If Roar had a striker this was a different game, possibly even a 4-3 game either way but Roar remain toothless up front. Waddingham had plenty of quality ball in the box but consistently found himself half a step the wrong way, at other times his running was too straight and predictable. It’s quite possible Roar management have broken him – their gamble of not signing a striker (against RAs wishes) and banking on an 18 year old backfiring badly to the point any young talent at the club would do well to get out of Dodge City and find a club that can develop youth. . His removal at half time improved Roars attack but predictably our defensive woes remained – Aldred again at fault for a goal and Bulls did what Jets did, pour down our left flank and create chances. . If Cahn had an Assistant he could have worked on that this week. Why would you let Trani go? Oh, thats right – behind the scenes power plays. . The point is coming where we declare Roars season over and they start looking to next season. As I say often, it’s Groundhog Day with clueless Management, petty behind the scenes politics, and owners squatting on a licence waiting for their share of the “Media & Entertainment” company to increase in value so they can exit. . The main signing in the summer window picks up a needless Red and may be out for 5 games, with studs down it may only be 3. The other signing works hard but is out of position and out of his depth in the AL. But what a shambles. . The luck Roar had v Jets evaporated and Cahns move to a straight 4-3-3 is not working nor does it suit the players he has, nor can he decide on his best starting XI. . Jets revenge on Tuesday should be interesting. Thank god I’ve got other things on that night. .
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Lethlean MV must have let him go as he is too old to play in their NPL side which was NPL3 last season. They mention it was Trani who converted him to a defender so obviously brought him in. I thought Trani leaving the club might have been because of Lethlean signing but he started the next match. 15 dollars for what sort of drink?
Jordan Sports Fan
Roar Rookie
Players of course do get signed and start immediately, but Lethlean is to me indicative of where Roar are at. Signed from the NPL to start immediately (players like that need to earn a spot ideally not just be thrown in), has two really poor matches and so what now? He’s a CB rather than a LB I thought. Zabala was actually ok when he came on I thought and offers a little bit going forward but he himself has been a liability in defence this season. Roar till I die and all that but paying $15 for a drink last night and getting totally soaked on the walk to the train station afterwards, I did start to wonder if this was still my idea of fun after all these years of mediocrity.