A Most Frustrating 34th

Berisha celebrates goal number seven

For the second week in a row the Roar proved that they aren't fans of public transport.  Their frustration with trying to open up a side that has resorted to parking the bus was clear as the players walked off the park having managed only a 1:1 draw with Wellington Phoenix.

It seems that with the concept of pressing high on Roar failing spectacularly in the early rounds the Nix took a leaf out of Victory's box and resorted to parking as many players in the box as possible when not in possession of the ball.  Unlike Victory who did in response to losing two players to red cards, the Nix did it completely voluntarily.  It wasn't a pretty game plan, particularly when combined with the deliberate fouling and time wasting tactics that they also employed, but it was enough to earn them a point on the road.

Despite the defensive tactics of the Phoenix, Brisbane conjured up enough chances to win the match but they were frustrated time and again by poor finishing and a great performance by Tony Warner.  The Nix keeper made a number of great saves in both halves and was easily the most influential player for his side.  Regardless Roar should have nailed the win with both Kofi Danning and Issey Nakajima-Farran missing chances that they should have made.  Besart Berisha gave Brisbane an early lead with a well taken header, but the Phoenix pulled on back through a Tim Brown finish to go to the break with the scores tied up.  Brisbane worked the ball around but couldn't find the goal that they looked for.

It was frustrating but if that's the worst it gets then we've not got many problems.  It's always tough to open up sides that put all their men in the box and it may take a few weeks to get the hang of that if teams keep doing it.  Regardless it's 34 games undefeated now and next week in Newcastle we have a chance to equal an all codes record.