QUEENSLAND Roar and Sydney FC played out a 0-0 draw at Maroochydore tonight but Frank Farina’s men will be disappointed that they didn’t walk away from the chilly Sunshine Coast with all three points.

Roar dominated proceedings and did have the chances to win it, but a lack of sharpness in front of goal proved costly.

Roar were without Robbie Kruse and Marcinho who were injured in training this week, but Sydney had their own selection problems with former Roar striker Alex Brosque ruled out through suspension following his red card at the tail-end of last season.

The blues were also missing David Carney and Mark Milligan who are both on international duty with the Socceroos and new signing Tony Popovic is yet to be registered. Only three substitutes were named on Branko Culina’s bench, such was the lack of playing stocks available to the Sydney FC coach.

Frank Farina was able to call on young midfielder Chris Grossman though after he recovered from an ankle injury sustained at training yesterday.

Roar had much the better of the opening half with Matt McKay going close on no less than three occasions. A curling drive and a diving header were well saved by Clint Bolton to leave McKay frustrated, but the best chance of the half fell to Ante Milicic.

Reinaldo burst down the right hand side and squared an inviting ball to Milicic but the veteran striker spooned his shot over from just inside the box.

Sydney FC failed to trouble the Roar goal until the 35th minute when an Adam Casey header flew just over Liam Reddy’s crossbar.

The second period followed the same pattern with Sydney clearly looking short of match practice. Farina introduced speedy forward Tahj Minniecon in place of Mitch Nichols and the youngster caused plenty of problems with his blistering pace.

Both goalkeepers enjoyed a quite second half but Roar substitute Simon Lynch almost pinched it at the end for the home side. The Scottish striker brought down Massimo Murdocca’s cross superbly but the ball ran away from him at the vital moment.

Roar coach Frank Farina said he was unconcerned with his side’s failure to score for the first time during this pre-season campaign.

“I’d be worried if we didn’t create chances; it’s just a matter of putting them in the net and that’ll happen,” he said.

QUEENSLAND ROAR 0
SYDNEY FC 0
At Maroochydore Regional Football Complex, Sunshine Coast.
HT: 0-0
Att: 4892
Referee: Chris Beath

Queensland Roar Squad:
1. Liam REDDY (gk), 5. Josh McCLOUGHAN, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 10. Ante MILICIC (Lynch 73), 11. REINALDO, 14. Ben GRIFFIN, 15. Matt McKAY, 16. Hyuk-Su SEO, 17. Mitch NICHOLS (Minniecon 54), 18. Danny TIATTO (capt) (Ognenovski 73), 21. Chris GROSSMAN.
Subs not used: 24. Jake HALING (gk).

Yellow cards: Tiatto 43
Red cards: none

Sydney FC Squad:
1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Iain FYFE, 3. Nikolas TSATTALIOS (Timpano 65), 4. Mark RUDAN (capt), 7. Robbie MIDDLEBY, 9. David ZDRILIC, 10. Steve CORICA, 11. Brendon SANTALAB (Vidaic 83), 15. Terry McFLYNN, 18. Adam CASEY, 19. Michael ENFIELD, 22. Ufuk TALAY.
Subs not used: 20. Vendram JANJETOVIC.

Yellow cards: Talay 13, McFlynn 66
Red cards: none