A dominant display has seen Brisbane Roar defeat Olympic FC 3-0 in Saturday night’s pre-season clash at Goodwin Park.
Goals to Petros Skapetis, Massimo Maccarone and Shannon Brady gave Brisbane their fourth win of the Hyundai A-League pre-season.
Skapetis’ strike in the first half was the 22-year-old’s fifth goal for the Roar while Maccarone again showed his experience and quality, with his effort the Italian’s fourth goal since arriving in Brisbane.
Head Coach John Aloisi praised the performances of Skapetis and Maccarone and says goals in pre-season is a huge boost for his attackers ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.
“Petros has been looking dangerous all pre-season. He’s got goals in him, we know that,” Aloisi said.
“For Massimo to get on the scoresheet is fantastic, it’s always nice for the front line to score goals because it gives them confidence for when the season starts.
“We got everything we wanted out of the game. We got a lot of young players who got some game time and we dominated on a hard pitch to play on, created opportunities and limited them.”
The Roar began the contest at Goodwin Park with high-tempo passing and movement and looked to take the game to their Queensland NPL opposition early.
Brisbane’s Hyundai A-League side opened the scoring in the 20th minute through in-form attacker Petros Skapetis, with the recent recruit finishing with a tap in after a fine cross to the back post by marquee man Massimo Maccarone.
Skapetis, who was dangerous throughout the clash, had the chance to double his side’s lead 15 minutes later when he was one-on-one with Olympic stopper Nicholas Mooney, however, his effort was saved well.
Olympic defender James Cuminao was shown a straight red card for violent conduct two minutes before the half-time interval and the Roar took full advantage of the additional player, dominating the play against their Yeronga-based opponents.
Brisbane’s pressure during the second half proceedings paid dividends with Massimo Maccarone and Shannon Brady adding to the scoresheet.
A blistering counter-attack late in the second half saw winger Brady find substitute Dane Ingham with space on the right, with the New Zealand International squaring the ball for Roar’s Italian forward to double the lead.
Brisbane put the icing on the cake with substitute Rahmat Akbari finding Brady, who made no mistake from close range to ensure a win for his team.
John Aloisi’s men will prepare to face Hyundai A-League Champions Sydney FC next Saturday, with the blockbuster Hyundai A-League season opener against Melbourne City at AAMI Park less than a month away.
STORY OF THE GAME
- Brisbane Roar started Saturday evening’s pre-season clash against their PS4NPLQLD opponents with strong intent, crafting a number of chances in the opening 15 minutes.
- The first goal of the game came for the Hyundai A-League side in the 20th minute thanks to Petros Skapetis’ well-timed strike, after a cross into the area by striker Massimo Maccarone.
- The Roar dominated play at Goodwin Park following the sending off of Olympic defender James Cuminao, and found their second and third goals through Maccarone and winger Shannon Brady in the second half.
- Both Petros Skapetis and Massimo Maccarone again found the net for Brisbane in pre-season. The youngsters fifth and the marquee’s fourth goal is a huge boost for the Roar ahead of the October 6 Hyundai A-League season opener against Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
GOALS
Brisbane Roar – Skapetis 20′; 0-1
Winger Petros Skapetis opens the scoring with a tap in that smashes into the roof of the net, following a fantastic cross to far post from marquee striker, Massimo Maccarone.
Brisbane Roar – Maccarone 79′; 0-2
Fast counter-attack from Brisbane’s Hyundai A-League side as Shannon Brady’s magnificent solo run finds Dane Ingham, with the youngster’s cross to Maccarone allowing the Italian to tap-in from close-range to extend the Roar’s lead.
Brisbane Roar – Brady 81′; 0-3
The Roar capitalise on a positive second-half performance with quick-fire goals as Rahmat Akbari’s curling cross allows Shannon Brady to tap in and make it three for the night at Goodwin Park.
