Roar Beat Victory In Suncorp Thriller

Berisha, Roar's two goal hero

Over the last couple of seasons, clashes between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory have been rather dramatic events and last night's clash at Suncorp Stadium was no different.  The match may not have been the best exhibition of football, but the five goal thriller had the crowd on the edge of their seats through out.

Brisbane could not have got off to a better start with Besart Berisha celebrating his new two year contract in style by scoring in the opening minute.  The Albanian found his way through and around four Victory defenders before sticking a clinical finish in the back of the net.  But the visitors were back on level terms only minutes later when they counter attacked from a midfield turn over and Harry Kewell beat Michael Theoklitos in the Roar goal.  The home side though eventually wrested control of the game back and dominated the last twenty minutes of the second half grabbing two goals.  Berisha was again to the fore when he added a second clinical finish after picking a pin point cross from Henrique after the winger had been released down the right flank.  Roar then extended their lead with a penalty to Henrique after Ubay Luzardo brought down Erik Paartalu in the box.

The first half was not without other drama as well with Berisha escaping sanction for a reckless challenge on Carlos Hernandez and Thomas Broich injuring a shoulder after being the victim of yet another clumsy challenge.

Murdocca

The second half certainly didn't go the way Brisbane or its fans would have been expecting with the home side failing to impose itself on the remainder of the match and control the game.  A rare misplaced pass from Broich saw Kewell away for his second of the night and Ange Postecoglou responded by giving the German the hook.  From there it was an end to end contest and Victory were unlucky not to equalise after a Hernandez volley spectacularly cannoned off the crossbar but failed to cross the goal line.  Roar held on and earned all three points but could probably consider themselves a little lucky after a lacklustre second half.

The night was capped with foundation player Massimo Murdocca making his 132nd appearance for the club to surpass Matt McKay's previous record.