Brisbane Roar continued their Hyundai A-League pre-season preparations with a 2-1 friendly win over the Chinese U-22 national team at Cbus Super Stadium on Monday night.
Massimo Maccarone’s penalty in the 88th minute helped the Roar to a deserved victory after the visitors were reduced to 10 men late in the second 45 minutes.
STORY OF THE GAME
- Following a high-tempo start at Cbus Super Stadium, Brisbane Roar took a deserved lead early on in the match through winger Petros Skapetis, after brilliant link-up play in midfield between Captain Matt McKay and Brett Holman.
- The away side responded after going behind by putting attacking pressure on the Roar and found their equaliser in the 18th minute courtesy of a Shihao Wei header.
- Following the red card to goalscorer Shihao Wei in the 71st minute, Brisbane Roar took advantage of the extra man and piled on the pressure during a dominant second half showing against their youthful opposition.
- The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was called into action in the 87th minute and reversed referee Adam Kersey’s decision to deny the Roar a spot-kick after Massimo Maccarone was fouled in the penalty area.
- Maccarone’s third goal in Orange gave the Roar their third win of pre-season as John Aloisi’s side will look to continue to build strong momentum on Friday against the Victory.
GOALS
Brisbane Roar; Skapetis 10′; 0-1
Winger Petros Skapetis is played through on goal by Brett Holman and composedly finishes past opposition goalkeeper Yuchen Zhou to put the Roar ahead.
U-22 Chinese national team; Wei 18′; 1-1
Dun Ba finds space on the left wing and crosses into Shihao Wei, who heads the ball past Roar keeper Jamie Young to equalise for the Olympic side.
Brisbane Roar; Maccarone 88′; 1-2
Brisbane’s Italian marquee striker confidently steps up to the penaty spot and makes no mistake as the Roar secure their third win of pre-season.
ALOISI ON ROAR’S WIN
“It was a good hit-out. We’ve trained really hard the last two weeks so for the boys to play like they did against a good side was fantastic for us,” Roar boss John Aloisi said.
“I think that with the ball we showed a lot of positive signs.
“I thought in the second half we were better defensively than we were in the first half but the Chinese are very technical and have players that can cause some problems.
“Overall we dominated the match and created numerous clear-cut chances. It was great to see Skapetis and Maccarone get on the scoresheet again for us.”
John Aloisi’s side turn their attention to Friday night’s pre-season fixture against Hyundai A-League rivals Melbourne Victory in Ballarat, Victoria.
