Brisbane Lose Again, This Time to Heart

Brisbane Roar 1 – Melbourne Heart 2
Having avoided defeat in every match since September 2010, Brisbane Roar lost for the second consecutive game, and first time at home since January 2010. Heart have won two in a row and four of five to climb directly into the finals football discussion, reaching third place and fifteen points before the rest of the league plays this weekend. Jonathan Germano (pictured) was the catalyst in many ways, scoring the opening goal with his head and creating the second. Germano delivered a perfect cross in the 27th minute to Mate Dugandžić, who then squared for Eli Babalj to score the match-winner. Mitch Nichols did pull one back for the hosts in the 78th minute but Erik Paartalu could not keep his injury-time header below the crossbar as the Roar fell again. The absences of Thomas Broich and Henrique were obvious as Brisbane is finally showing a lack of depth. Meanwhile, they do remain atop the A-League ladder, but they can be caught on points by Central Coast Mariners this weekend.

A-League Golden Boot – Round 4

Besart Berisha took a big lead in this season’s Golden Boot race by racking four goals against Adelaide United on Saturday. His six are now double Perth Glory’s Shane Smeltz and Gold Coast United’s James Brown. Nickly Carle got his second goal of the season for Sydney FC in Round 4 while Brisbane Roar got two penalties from Henrique, allowing the Brazilian to join this list.

Besart Berisha – 6

Shane Smeltz – 3

James Brown – 3

Mate Dugandžić – 2

Ryan Griffiths – 2

Mitch Nichols – 2

Nicky Carle – 2

Henrique – 2

Round 4 A-League Team of the Week

Manager – Miron Bleiberg (Gold Coast United)

Goalkeeper – Ante Čović (Melbourne Victory)

Defender – Simon Colosimo (Melbourne Heart)

Defender – Pascal Bosschaart (Sydney FC)

Defender – Kristian Rees (Gold Coast United)

Midfielder – Mitch Nichols (Brisbane Roar)

Midfielder – Maceo Rigters (Gold Coast United)

Midfielder – Mate Dugandžić (Melbourne Heart)

Midfielder – Dani Sánchez (Wellington Phoenix)

Forward – Besart Berisha (Brisbane Roar)

Forward – Matt Simon (Central Coast Mariners)

Forward – Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)

A-League Golden Boot – Round 3

Perhaps it’s too early to start this count, but I’ll be keeping track of the Golden Boot contestants throughout the season. Here’s where it stands after Round 3:

Shane Smeltz – 3

Besart Berisha – 2

James Brown – 2

Mate Dugandžić – 2

Ryan Griffiths – 2

Mitch Nichols – 2

Brisbane Take M1 Derby 3-0

Brisbane Roar won for the third time this season, completing a 3-0 victory over M-1 derby foes Gold Coast United at Suncorp Stadium. Erik Paartalu (pictured), Besart Berisha and Mitch Nichols all scored for the Roar, who made it thirty-one consecutive without a loss. Paartalu’s opener came as a header in the 13th minute but was almost equalized in the 21st when Dylan Macallister hit the crossbar for United. The visitors played well in the first half, particularly through new recruit Maceo Ritgers, but it was not enough to compete with the depth and skill of Brisbane. When Ange Postecoglou inserted Kofi Danning and Massimo Murdocca just before the hour, the match completely turned. Murdocca assisted almost immediately, providing service to Berisha who scored his second goal in as many games. It was then Berisha who set up Nichols for the Roar’s third in the 78th minute, a goal that only emphasized just how good Brisbane are. United were lucky to leave down only three as Paartalu hit the post late on. The Roar retain their top spot on the ladder while Gold Coast await the results of the rest of the weekend’s fixtures to see just how far they fall from sixth.