Sat 20th Jan 2007

THE STAGE was set but the action on the pitch didn’t quite go to script as Queensland Roar bowed out of this season’s finals race after a 1-1 with Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium.

Over 32,000 orange-clad fans turned out to cheer Frank Farina’s men to victory, but they didn’t bank on a Sydney side that played with desperation and guile to secure the single point they needed to scrape into the top four on goal difference.

It was former Roar favourite Alex Brosque who opened the way for the visitors in just the 13th minute. David Zdrilic crossed from the right and when Sasa Ognenovski slipped on the loose surface Brosque was on hand to slam a right-footed shot past Liam Reddy.

Their lead only lasted seven minutes though and Roar gave themselves a finals lifeline when Damian Mori equalised. Ognenovski’s long ball was nodded expertly into Mori’s path by Reinaldo and the veteran striker showed all his class to sneak the ball past the on-rushing Clint Bolton.

Suncorp erupted and it looked as though Roar had regained enough momentum to press on for a second goal, but Sydney too had their chances before referee Mark Shield blew for half-time.

Frank Farina introduced Ante Milicic for Massimo Murdocca at the break as Roar went in search of the winner. It was Mori who came closest to providing it on the hour with a spectacular effort that had the stadium on its feet. Dario Vidosic’s delicate cross was met by Mori with a textbook scissor kick but with his strike destined for the top corner, Clint Bolton produced a magnificent one-handed save to tip the ball to safety.

Reddy denied Petrovski five minutes later and Sydney continued to pose a threat of their own on the break as the home side poured forward in numbers. On 69 minutes Reinaldo had the chance to clinch it for Roar but steered his header wide with the goal beckoning.

Ufuk Talay was sent for an early bath by referee Shield in the 81st minute but Sydney’s smart stifling tactics were working a treat and Farina’s men just couldn’t find what would have been a decisive second goal.

Queensland Roar:
20.Liam REDDY (gk), 2.Andrew PACKER (capt), 3.Remo BUESS (Lynch 87), 8.Massimo MURDOCCA (Milicic 46), 11.REINALDO, 13.Spase DILEVSKI, 14.Ben GRIFFIN, 16.Hyuk-Su SEO, 17.Damian MORI, 18.Dario VIDOSIC, 19.Sasa OGNENOVSKI,
Subs not used: 24.Griffin McMASTER (gk), 6.Stuart McLAREN.

Hyundai A-League Round 21
QUEENSLAND ROAR 1 (Mori 20)
SYDNEY FC 1 (Brosque 13)
At Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
HT: 1-1
Att: 32,371
Referee: Mark Shield