Brisbane Roar has opened their Wingate Properties Townsville Football Cup campaign with a comprehensive 4-0 win over fellow Hyundai A-League side Newcastle Jets at Townsville Sports Reserve on Sunday night.
The Roar was keen to impress from the outset and took an early lead in the sixth minute, Dimitri Petratos finishing off a clever play down the right.
Brazilian speedster Henrique – who opened the scoring for his side in their Westfield FFA Cup match over Stirling Lions on Tuesday – made it 2-0 five minutes before half-time, converting a penalty after he was fouled by Craig Goodwin in the area.
Mike Mulvey opted to make five of his permitted six changes at half-time with Mensur Kurtishi on for his club debut and midfielder Luke Brattan seeing his first action of the pre-season following a minor abdominal injury.
The Albanian striker was involved almost straight away, sending a free kick marginally off target within five minutes of his introduction to the pre-season fixture.
Despite the host of changes – influential Thomas Broich was soon replaced by youngster Shannon Brady in the 60th minute – Brisbane continued to press and Liam Miller extended their lead to 3-0, when he found space and shot past Ben Kennedy in the Jets goal.
Brady, a regular in Australia’s Young Socceroos squad, evaded the offside trap in the 86th minute to round out the 4-0 score line.
Brisbane now face National Premier Leagues Queensland side Northern Fury on Wednesday, 27 August before their final fixture in Townsville against Sydney FC on Saturday, 30 August.
Newcastle Jets 0
Brisbane Roar 4 (Dimitri PETRATOS 6′, HENRIQUE pen 39′, Liam MILLER 75′, Shannon BRADY 86′)
