Melbourne City has been held to a draw for the second consecutive match, unable to find a way past Brisbane Roar in Redcliffe on Saturday night.
Both teams had chances across the 90 minutes, but neither could find the back of the net as the clash ultimately ended 0-0.
Team News
Rado Vidosic was finally forced into a change to his starting XI, selecting a different lineup for the first time since he took over as Men’s Head Coach.
Jordan Bos was out due to concussion protocols which paved the way for skipper Scott Jamieson to return to the XI, while Vidosic also elected for another change at the opposite full-back position with Scott Galloway replacing Callum Talbot.
Starting XI: 1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 6. Thomas LAM, 22. Curtis GOOD, 3. Scott JAMIESON (C), 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE, 14. Valon BERISHA, 23. Marco TILIO, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 9. Jamie MACLAREN.
Substitutes: 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 4. Nuno REIS, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Taras GOMULKA, 25. Callum TALBOT, 35. Raphael BORGES RODRIGUES.
What happened?
It was an even start to the contest with neither side able to fully grab a hold of the momentum in the first 20 or so minutes.
City’s first half chance of the night came in the 23rd via a Marco Tilio cross which found the head of Jamie Maclaren, although the City number nine wasn’t able to generate the power required to trouble Roar goalkeeper Jordan Holmes.
The now usual midfield trio of Aiden O’Neill, Richard van der Venne and Valon Berisha put in a strong shift in the middle of the park, allowing City to control possession and the contest as a whole.
Despite this, it was the Roar who’d go the closest to opening the scoring in the first 45 minutes.
It was the second phase of a corner that almost had City undone, Tom Aldred firing a powerful shot towards goal but Tom Glover reacted quickly to pull off a strong reflex save to ensure scores stayed level.
City continued to dominate possession for the remainder of the half, with the back four rarely called into action but taking care of the danger well whenever necessary.
The visiting City side began the second half like a house on fire and it seemed like it was more of a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ the opener would arrive.
A blistering counter attack early in the half saw Richard van der Venne tee up Jamie Maclaren with a tantalising ball across goal, but unfortunately it was just out of reach for the City number 9.
Thomas Lam and Curtis Good continued to boss the defence which came unstuck just once in the second 45 minutes, but Carlo Armiento was unable to make City pay and missed the target in the 77th.
A frantic final few minutes saw both sides have their chances to turn one point into three, Glover first pulling off another great save, denying Henry Hore this time around.
Maclaren was then almost the hero for City with a stoppage time winner, but saw his last ditch effort under plenty of pressure go just wide of Holmes’ goal.
What’s next?
After a pair of away trips, City will return home to host Adelaide United at AAMI Park next Sunday. Click here to get your tickets!
