Michael Zullo enjoyed a sparkling full debut, netting a fabulous goal while Robbie Kruse also enjoyed a night to remember, also finding the back of the net with a header.

Zullo admitted it had been a wonderful first start for his hometown team. He said: “It’s a dream start, something I’ve dreamed of. Robbie and I have played together ever since we were 11 years old, we’ve got an understanding and it paid off. Everyone’s put in 110 per cent tonight.”

Kruse said: “I’ve worked hard for this opportunity and I’m grateful Frank (Farina) has given me the opportunity and we’ve got three points.”

As promised Frank Farina made changes in both personnel and formation in a bid to try and ignite Roar’s misfiring attack. Young forward Kruse, celebrating his 19th birthday, was introduced into a 4-3-3 line-up with fellow Brisbanite Zullo promoted from the bench – the teenager having headed against the post in last week’s defeat at Melbourne Victory. Midfielder Massimo Murdocca and striker Simon Lynch, the latter without a goal for more than a year, were relegated to the bench as Roar looked for a first home win and first clean sheet of the campaign.

As for the visitors, Ricki Herbert was forced into one change from the side that thrashed Perth Glory last week, suspension ruling out Brazilian star Daniel with Michael Ferrante drafted in to fill the void as the Phoenix chased another three points.

Hyuk Su Seo was floored in his own penalty area within two minutes, a dig in the ribs from Ross Aloisi, as Roar prepared to defend an early corner but he was back to his feet swiftly as the set piece came to nothing.

The home side got off to a dream start though with one of Farina’s changes paying off handsomely within three and a half minutes. A long throw from the right was flicked on by Reinaldo and Michael Zullo thundered home a tremendous volley off the underside of the crossbar from the edge of the area. Suitably heartened, Roar continued to press forward in the early stages with both Zullo and Kruse full of running.

Kruse turned beautifully on 15 minutes but was let down by a poor return ball from Reinaldo as he raced into the area, but the move illustrated the confidence oozing from the debutant.

Kruse was then spoken to for a late challenge on Richard Johnson in the 18th minute although there was nothing malicious in the tackle. Zullo teed up Danny Tiatto two minutes later and the former Leicester City man sent a rasping strike whistling just wide of the left upright as Farina’s man looked for the cushion of a second goal.

Felipe was clattered by Ognenovski, Zullo and Marcinho in quick succession with the latter shown a yellow card as the visitors searched for a way back into game. Craig Moore then brought Felipe to the floor with the Brazilian increasingly targeted for special attention. Reinaldo was spoken to for a lunge on Richard Johnson as the foul count began to mount in an increasingly spicy affair.

Kruse went desperately close to celebrating his debut with a goal on 38 minutes as he raced on to an Ognenovski pass and sent the ball skimming off the top of the crossbar from distance.

In a blow for the Phoenix Felipe spent the remaining minutes of the first half clutching his left hamstring and he hobbled off to be replaced by George Paladini.

As for Roar, it’s brightest star of the opening half was unquestionably Zullo and his determination teed up a shooting chance for Reinaldo which the Brazilian crashed just too high.

Zullo’s pace earned his side a corner on 43 with Ognenovski thudding a shot into his colleague Reinaldo on the edge of the box. Marcinho’s deflected strike earned the Roar another corner as the home side ended the half strongly.

Having gone close, Kruse joined Zullo on the scoresheet in first half stoppage time as he headed home Zullo’s cross from the left to leave the Roar in a very, very strong position as the teams made their way to the dressing rooms at half-time.

Steven O’Dor replaced Steven Old at the start of the second half but Roar started strongly again with goalkeeper Glen Moss forced to make a flying stop to his left to keep out Marcinho’s 49th minute shot. Reinaldo wasted a good chance on 52, rifling wide of the right post, before debutant Kruse left to warm applause on 56, Simon Lynch entering the fray.

The outstanding Zullo then skipped down the left and teed Reinaldo up with a close range sitter only for the Brazilian to somehow shoot wide of the left post when it looked easier to score. The hard-working youngster then went down with cramp as the bulk of a 12,458 crowd prepared to savour a home win and he made way for Ben Griffin in the 74th minute. Marcinho had been replaced by Massimo Murdocca moments before with the Phoenix making a change as Vaughan Coveny was replaced by club vice-skipper Tim Brown.

Lochhead overhit a free-kick into the area following a foul on Shane Smeltz as Wellington battled to reduce the deficit but the Roar looked pretty comfortable as the match entered the final five minutes.

Substitute Ben Griffin’s deflected shot from the edge of the box was comfortably held by Moss while a Lynch effort earned his side a sixth corner of the night, from which Josh McCloughan sent a header into the arms of the Wellington keeper.

Karl Dodd and Reinaldo picked up late bookings while Lochhead was fortunate to escape a similar fate when he sent Murdocca crashing to the floor on the edge of the area in the final minute. Tiatto sent the resulting free-kick thudding into the wall as the game entered four minutes of stoppage time.

There was a very late scare as Smeltz pounced to steer the ball past Liam Reddy to deny the keeper his first clean sheet of the campaign but it was nothing more than a consolation and certainly not enough to take the gloss off the performances of Messrs Zullo and Kruse.

FourFourTwo says:
The curse of Suncorp has finally been broken and in Michael Zullo, Frank Farina may just have found the man to help transform his team's impressive build-up play into goals. The youngster enjoyed a dazzling first full game for the Roar with a real sense of anticipation oozing from the fans every time he set off on a run. Debutant Robbie Kruse also enjoyed a night to remember, joining Zullo on the score sheet. As for Phoenix, they never really looked like getting anything from this encounter and coach Ricki Herbert will be hoping Felipe's injury is not a long-term problem.