Brisbane Roar FC
2
Match Complete
Adelaide United
1
| S. McDonald |  | 95' | ||
| J. Hingert | | 85' | ||
| 82' | | L. D'Arrigo | ||
| 77' | | P. Izzo | ||
| T. Aldred |  | 74' | ||
| M. Muratovic | | 68' | ||
| D. Bowles | | 62' | ||
| 58' | | B. Halloran | ||
| 42' | | M. Jakobsen | ||
| J. Pepper | | 21' |
| 15 | Shots | 18 | ||
| 5 | On Target | 5 | ||
| 9 | Fouls | 10 | ||
| 5 | Corners | 7 | ||
| 1 | Offsides | 1 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 4 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
With three straight wins entrenching them once again in the top six Adelaide United will be looking to continue their push for a home final when they travel north to take on the Brisbane Roar on Saturday evening. Join The Roar for live scores from 7:30pm (AEDT).
A strong last month from the Reds has arrested their slide down the ladder following an extended run of losses, but with the logjam around the middle of the ladder continuing to grow, they can ill afford too many more slip-ups.
Remarkably, despite losing five of six games from the start of December to early January, they’re now within one good win of second-placed Melbourne City (with a game to spare, too), meaning a top-two berth and a precious finals double chance is still well within reach.
However, they’re also only five points clear of the seventh-placed Roar, making this match all the more crucial.
Before last week’s 1-0 loss to ladder-leaders Sydney FC, the Roar hadn’t tasted defeat in over a month.
That string of good form pushed the men from Brisbane up from the foot of the ladder to within touching distance of the top six, though there are still question marks over their quality relative to the A-League’s best sides.
Only a Scott Neville handball in the box and subsequent Adam le Fondre penalty separated them from the all-conquering Sky Blues on the scoresheet last week, and while their defence and goalkeeper Jamie Young were outstanding to deny the flag favourites again and again, they were seldom able to create chances themselves.
When all is said and done, though, they’ll be very difficult to beat at their home fortress of Suncorp Stadium.
Prediction
Minus the suspended Neville this week, the Roar seem vulnerable on paper. But the Reds haven’t been great away from home this season (they even lost on the road to the lowly Mariners), which should give Robbie Fowler’s men the edge.
Roar 2-1 Adelaide
Game Information
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Time: 7:30pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Sports 505
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel GO
Odds: Brisbane Roar $2.85, Draw $3.50, Adelaide United $2.25
SweatyProp
Roar Rookie
Sitting in the stands at Suncorp, somewhat damp, a number of things became apparent: 1. The referee did not bring his A game. He was inconsistent and as a result the players became edgy. The game deserved better. 2. The Roar make it hard for themselves by starting slow. Having said that, they do eventually rise into the game. Amadi-Holloway played well in his spell particularly when he turned and faced the goal. Corey Brown needs to be quicker in defence, he gets left behind too often. 3. The Suncorp playing surface looked in the best condition I have seen it in a long time. 4. Young Mohamed Toure is a football player to behold, his acceleration and size make him a real find. I hope Adelaide United FC bring him along carefully.
Chopper
Guest
The inconsistency of refereeing was again highlighted by the lack of a card to Kitto for his "save" on the line during the ping pong incident just prior to Muratovic scoring. As the commentators stated if the ball hadn't gone into the net a penalty would have been given. In a deliberate attempt to save a goal Kitto should have been given a straight red.
coolncold
Roar Rookie
No
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Better team first half but badly second best in the second
invicta
Roar Rookie
Not sure what you mean 'better' team lost. Shots on target 5 all. Some of adelaide's shots landed in row x from outside box eg kitto. Even goal was long shot. Bris better team second half till last 10 mins. Aah could have made it 3.
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
More shots, possessions, passes and conceding sloppy goals. Story of our season :unhappy: its a cruel game, when the better team loses :unhappy:
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