Brisbane Roar have notched their first three points of the season after claiming a hard fought 1-0 win over the Mariners at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
A first-half goal from Danish midfielder Thomas Kristensen was the difference between the two sides, as the Mariners failed to generate a shot on target despite dominating possession.
It wasn’t from a lack of effort as Paul Okon’s side certainly looked the more likely – especially after the break, but were particularly wasteful with their multiple set-piece opportunities.
Instead it was Jamie Maclaren that went closest to adding to the scoreline after he chipped the ball onto the crossbar following a darting run to the front post.
Fellow forward Brandon Borrello could’ve sealed the result in added time after he charged down a clearance from goalkeeper Paul Izzo but he blazed his shot over the bar.
There was a Mariners debut for defender Scott Galloway, while John Aloisi gave 20-year-old attacker Joey Katebian his first minutes in Roar colours.
See how the game unfolded in the match centre
GOALS
0-1 Brisbane Roar: Thomas Kristensen, 33’
Defender Jack Hingert crossed the ball from the right flank causing all sorts of confusion in the Mariners box. The ball was eventually parried away by Izzo but only as far as Kristensen at the top of the box, who stroked it home into an empty net.
OPTA DATA
- The Mariners run of not keeping a cleansheet has now stretched to 32 Hyundai A-League games and they’re winless from their last 13 matches.
- Brisbane Roar have now won six straight games against the Mariners and have only lost two from 20 clashes at Central Coast Stadium.
ATTENDANCE
7073 @ Central Coast Stadium
Re-live the match action on Twitter: @ALeague, @CCMariners, @brisbaneroar, #CCMvBRI
