A 2-0 win, courtesy of a Bruce Kamau brace, saw the home side take all three points. CLEMENT TITO rates the big performers and those who went missing on the night.

MELBOURNE CITY

(GK) Eugene GALEKOVIC - 6

Did not have an awful lot to do but sprang to life whenever the ball came to him.

Manny MUSCAT – 7

The Defender stood up to the challenge in the season opener; he started the game and got stuck in, picking up a yellow card for his clash with Fahid Ben Khalfallah.

He received a lot of the ball during the game and managed to string some decent passes.

Bart SCHENKEVELD – 7

The Dutchman had a promising debut and was a key reason as to why Galekovic had little to do.

He finished with some crucial interceptions and looked sturdy at the back.

Osama MALIK – 7

The utility looked sturdy in his position, hardly put a foot wrong and received plenty of the ball.

He did well to get the ball to his teammates.

Nick FITZGERALD – 8

Fitzy looked very lively during the game, he ran and he chased and genuinely looked up for the challenge.

Despite throwing a cluster of balls into the box, his only fault was he was not able to find the main man.

Bruce KAMAU – 9.5

The speedster netted a brace and had the hunger to hurt the opposition.

He also looked dangerous when racing down the wing.

Stefan MAUK – 7

Coming back to his second-stint on loan, he was key in tonight’s win and it would be fair to have him back in the line-up next week.

He used his physicality early in the game and had some chances that he could not bury.

Michael JAKOBSEN – 8.5

The Dane looked very sharp, especially playing in an unfamiliar left-back role, helped City to their clean sheet.

Iacopo LA ROCCA – 7

He might have looked quiet but was very effective. Had a lot to do and made the tackles he needed to make.

Luke BRATTAN – 7

He was influential in his game, looked strong despite copping a knock in the second half.

His crosses proved deadly once thrown in the box and led to the first goal.

Ross MCCORMACK – 6.5

The experienced Scotsman did not get a real taste but could be a demon once he gets a real crack this season.

SUBS

Substitutes, Scott Jamieson, Marcin Budzinski and Braedyn Crowley all came on when the game was over so there was not enough time to give a fair rating.

 

BRISBANE ROAR

(GK) Michael THEO – 6

Did not sweat buckets out there saving shots, but still conceded two, not the best day in the office.

Corey BROWN – 6.5

The left-back may have found himself chasing a lot but was giving it a real crack, however City’s wingers looked lively throughout the game.

Avram PAPADOPOULOS – 6

Was not his best game. Not completely out-played,  but City looked the better team in the first half and looked more dangerous

Massimo MACCARONE – 5

Hardly looked influential, never looked dangerous when he received the ball. In his defence the service was poor

Jade NORTH - 6

Was quiet throughout the game and summed up Roar’s night. One of the senior players who will need to come back stronger next week.

 

Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH- 6

The former Victory man found himself on the ground a few times and struggled to get into the game.

He looked frustrated and it just was not his finest game.

Matt MCKAY – 6.5

The leader fought hard on the pitch, completed some good passes but the City boys created some good chances through the midfield.

Nicholas D’AGOSTINO – 6

Had a real chance to score in the first half with a cracking volley but was unable to have an impact in the game later on. Picked up a yellow card for clashing with Nick Fitzgerald and look frustrated.

Joe CALETTI – 5

The youngster is still learning but could not get himself into the game.

Jack HINGERT – 6.5

Strung some good passes together however failed to prevent the deadly Kamau.

Petros SKAPETIS – 5

Similarly to Maccarone, struggled to look deadly and just never looked threatening to Eugene Galekovic.

Also was a victim of average service.

SUBS

3 Luke Devere –N/A was not on the pitch long enough to give a fair rating.

Mitchell OXBORROW – 6

Came off the bench but his team were already chasing the game however looked pumped to get out there.

Rahmat AKBARI – 6

Came on however the game looked dead and buried and could not have any real impact.