Their first A-League Men point in the bag after a hard-fought 0-0 home draw against Adelaide, Brisbane Roar are once again dreading a same-day road trip to Melbourne.
The Roar headed into Saturday’s clash against the Reds at Moreton Daily Stadium on the back of consecutive defeats away to Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory in their opening two fixtures.
Those losses were contributed to, Moon believes, by a travel schedule which left his team flying to Victoria, playing the match and then flying home on the same day on both occasions.
He felt a proper preparation had resulted in a much-improved performance against Adelaide and warned league bosses he would be far from happy if a better travel arrangement cannot be found before they face former coach John Aloisi’s Western United next weekend.
“There’s one lesson, don’t do it and the APL needs to listen,” Moon said when asked what his team had learned from their past two road trips.
“I know they’re doing their best so this is not the perfect situation. I know that but listen to the Brisbane Roar, listen to our players.
“Don’t talk to the PFA (Professional Footballers Australia) and then get them to ask on the sly whether they enjoyed it or not because that’s not asking the right people.
“Ask us if this is proper preparation for an elite team in this league when others aren’t doing it.
“Is that an even playing field? I’d say no.”
At least the Roar head to Melbourne with a point on the board this time, and it could have been all three but for some wayward finishing and the goalkeeping of Adelaide United’s James Delianov.
The Reds’ shotstopper pulled off a triple save at close range from Roar striker Luke Ivanovic in the second-half in the best chance for either team to break the deadlock.
Carl Veart’s team, who have now drawn all three of their fixtures this season, also had their chances with captain Stefan Mauk hitting the post in the first half and Kesingi Yengi’s late effort being blocked by Roar defender Joshua Brindell-South.
“We’ve had three tough games to open the season. Away to Perth, home to the champions, then away to Brisbane,” Veart said.
“They’re the two biggest away trips, we’ve got them out the way which is good and to pick a point up in all those games, it’s pleasing in that regard.”
In a tensely fought match, referee Chris Beath dished out eight yellow cards with his final booking leading to the sending off of Adelaide’s Spanish defender Javi Lopez in the dying seconds.
There were also injury concerns for both teams with Jack Hingert (hamstring) coming off at halftime for the Roar while veteran import Isaias (hip flexor) was also removed at the break by Adelaide and is facing a race against time to be fit to face rivals Victory next weekend.
