BILLED AS… A clash between two potential grand finalists

IN REALITY… A clash between one potential grand finalist and a side that seemingly can't win at home. The Suncorp hoodoo continues to shroud the Roar's ability to move up from contender to Champion, a point not helped by Craig Moore's artless send off and Keane-style abuse of Burns. Adelaide on the other hand look the goods: Cassio knows how to play the left-back attacking role to perfection and Agostino coming off the bench is a very handy option for Aurelio Vidmar. Defensively strong and full of running across the park, this could be the Reds' year. For Roar they showed plenty of guts but will need better leadership from Moore or this season will unravel once again.

THE GOOD… Brucey and Burnsy: two fresh-faced Aussie heroes who, with two quality finishes and a combination that's working sweetly, upstaged two gnarled Socceroo veterans in Tiatto and Moore. And all that on no sleep for the well-travelled Olyroo hitmen. Meanwhile, big Sasa's celebration of Roar's second by kissing his bicep tattoo may just catch on.

THE BAD… The substitution of Ange Costanzo late in the game. What was that about? Even skipper Valkanis was mystified and as for poor Ange, he's had his captaincy taken off him, then he gets subbed off for no apparent reason... And to rub salt into the wounds, the Reds conceded a headed goal just minutes later. Viddy, please explain.

THE UGLY… Craig Moore and his two-footed tackle on Burns. And Danny Tiatto and his two-footed tackle on whatever was floating around in the first 45. Could've easily been a Socceroo red card twosome. Frank, have a quiet word to your vets.

THEY SAID WHAT… Aurelio Vidmar on Burns and Djite: "It goes to show the level of professionalism those two boys have. They played last Saturday and they also played Wednesday in 40-degree heat, and after hardly any sleep yesterday backing up today in these conditions, I thought it was an exceptional effort."

Farina on Ben Williams' red card for Moore: "Do you want me to get in trouble? Like I said to my friend (Ognenovski, sitting next to Farina at the press conference) once, if you’ve got nothing good to say, don’t say anything at all."

THE FALLOUT… Craig Moore's pointless red card means the Jardel versus Moore bout is now off as the Roar heads to the Hunter this Sunday

Queensland Roar Liam Reddy (Gk), Craig Moore (Captain), Massimo Murdocca (Michael Zullo 64’), Ante Milicic, Reinaldo, Ben Griffin , Matt Mckay, Danny Tiatto, Sasa Ognenovski, Chris Grossman, (Stuart Mclaren 79’), Marcinho (Simon Lynch 64’)
Bookings Marcinho 6, Grossman 3’, Moore 63, 67
Goalscorers McKay 45, Ognenovski 76.

Adelaide United Robert Bajic (Gk), Richie Alagich (Paul Agostino 60’), Angelo Costanzo (Isyan Erdogan 74’), Michael Valkanis (Cptn), Cassio, Nathan Burns, Bruce Djite, Travis Dodd, Jonas Salley, Bobby Petta (Lucas Pantelis 70’), Robert Cornthwaite
Bookings Costanzo 21, Valkanis 27, Cassio 40, Salley 64.
Goalscorers Burns 8, Djite 47

MATCHRATING 4/5