Queensland Roar’s Pre-Season Cup final aspirations have been dashed with a 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix at Stockland Stadium on the Sunshine Coast.

A first half strike from Roar recruit Sergio van Dijk was cancelled out by a second stanza goal from Wellington new boy Adam Kwasnik.
 
The Roar began the match in strong fashion with van Dijk and Charlie Miller combining well on the edge of the Phoenix penalty area, but the Scottish trialist was unable to find a shot on target.

Midfield dynamo Matt McKay was the next to threaten, with a thunderbolt from outside the box which slid just past the post before Miller had an opportunity from a freekick which also went the wrong side of the post.

The Roar were the more dangerous of the two sides, with Wellington finding it difficult to breakdown some resolute defence.

Queensland’s good work was rewarded on 18 minutes when Sergio van Dijk finished coolly following some impressive lead up work by Massimo Murdocca down the left side of the penalty area.

Liam Reddy was tested a short time later by a stinging shot by Wellington midfielder Michael Ferrante but made a fine save to maintain the scoreline.

Neither side was able to find the back of the net again before half-time and the home side went into the break with a one goal lead.

Wellington opened the second stanza with plenty of gusto and Reddy was again forced into a smart save from a dipping long distance shot from Ferrante just after the restart.

Not to be outdone by the visitors, the Roar turned up their own intensity and the contest turned into a hard-fought affar.

Reddy again was forced into a fine save on 61 minutes, this time from a long-range shot from Troy Hearfield.

Robbie Kruse replaced an injured Andrew Packer on 68 minutes and almost had an immediate impact, but he sprayed his volley wide of the goal.

Wellington equalised on 74 minutes when a seemingly harmless cross into the box evaded all the defenders in orange and Adam Kwasnik was left with a simple tap in to tie things up.

That was how it finished as the points were shared at Stockland Stadium.

The Roar will now prepare for next week’s final Pre-Season Cup match against Central Coast Mariners at Perry Park on Sunday, August 3 from 3pm.

Queensland Roar 1 (Sergio van Dijk 18) Wellington Phoenix 1 (Adam Kwasnik 74) at Stockland Stadium.Crowd: 3832