Brisbane Roar has continued its rich vein of pre-season form to overcome Hyundai A-League newcomer Melbourne Heart FC 2-0 in the historic match played between the two sides in Toowoomba.
Brisbane Roar has continued its rich vein of pre-season form to overcome Hyundai A-League newcomer Melbourne Heart FC 2-0 in the historic match played between the two sides in Toowoomba.
First half strikes from Qantas Socceroos Mitch Nichols and Matt McKay were enough to secure victory over the Victorian outfit in its first ever clash against Hyundai A-League opposition, delighting a strong crowd of nearly 3,000.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip said the contest served as a solid hit out heading into the opening clash of the season at AAMI Park on August 5.
“We are in a process of getting things into the team, trying players, combinations but it-s going to take time in every aspect to build this club,” he said.
“The match was a great opportunity for the young players to come in and test themselves, but the learning process we are all in will take time, and that is something that will keep on going right through the season.
“There are also many people still to come in like Josip Skoko, Michael Beauchamp, Matt Thompson, Wayne Srhoj, Alex Terra, Michael Marrone and Gerald Sibon, who are all important players for our Club and have a big role to play.”
Brisbane had the first opportunity of the match courtesy of the penalty spot after Simon Colosimo brought down Henrique in the box after six minutes.
The little Brazilian winger stepped up to the spot himself, but a slip on the run up saw him put his effort wide of Clint Bolton-s goal.
Heart had its opening effort after 11 minutes when Jason Hoffman lined up a free-kick from just outside the box, however he wasn-t able to direct his strike on target.
The action was end-to-end early in the contest, before Brisbane opened the scoring after 19 minutes courtesy of some individual brilliance by Nichols and excellent passing from Thomas Broich.
After a mazy run down the right, Nichols played a perfect one-two with the German before slotting home with his left foot.
Roar doubled its lead soon after when Matt McKay reacted quickest in the box to a DeVere header and deflected the ball past Bolton into Heart-s goal.
Melbourne began to show more purpose in the second stanza, managing to exert extended periods of pressure on the Roar goal, as triallist Aziz Behich latching on to a good through ball, only to direct his strike straight at Roar custodian Andrew Redmayne.
However, the Roar soon regained control of the contest, with Nichols nearly capping an industrious display late in the contest when he ran onto a Henrique through ball only to watch his rasping shot crash into the cross bar.
Brisbane Roar 2 (Mitch NICHOLS 19-, Matt McKAY 35-)
Melbourne Heart 0
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba
Crowd: 2893
Brisbane Roar: 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 5. Ivan FRANJIC (6. Erik PAARTALU 46-), 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES (24. James MEYER 71-), 12. Matt MUNDY, 13. HENRIQUE, 15. Matt McKAY (capt), 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN (26. Daniel BOWLES 50-), 22. Thomas BROICH.
Substitute (not used): 30. Matt ACTON (gk).
Yellow cards: Ivan FRANJIC (27-), Thomas BROICH (45-), Mitch NICHOLS (55-), Erik PAARTALU (62-)
Red cards: Nil
Melbourne Heart FC: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 3. Brendan HAMILL, 4. Simon COLOSIMO (16. Stefan VRBESIC 67-), 7. Rutger WORM, 12. Aziz BEHICH, 13. Gouramangi SINGH, 14. Kamal IBRAHIM (20. Sam MUNRO 53-), 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 18. Ante TOMIC (23. Dean HEFFERNAN 46-), 19. Eli BABALJ, 21. Kliment TASESKI.
Substitutes (not used): 25. Marko SUTALO (gk).
Yellow cards: Simon COLOSIMO (6-)
