QUEENSLAND Roar were held to a 1-1 draw by the Solomon Islands national team at Richlands in a tough encounter for Frank Farina’s troops.
The game was Roar’s last pre-season match before the serious business of the Hyundai A-League starts against Adelaide United next Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.
Frank Farina was presented with a few late selection headaches, notably with young defender Ben Griffin who was a late casualty after reporting flu-like symptoms during the day.
With a number of other players carrying minor knocks, the Roar boss called upon trialists Victor Fenehia and Jonti Richter to sit on the bench.
Also missing was speedy forward Tahj Minniecon who was nursing a bruised foot, but midfielder Massimo Murdocca made a welcome return in the centre of midfield.
Against an athletic and lively Solomon’s side Roar enjoyed the bulk of the early play but Airton Andrioli’s team made the Queenslanders work hard for every ball as they pressed and harried for possession.
Despite Roar’s domination the Soloman Islands opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a simple but nicely worked goal.
Powerful forward Commins Menapi connected forcefully with a pin-point right-wing cross and headed convincingly past Liam Reddy in the Roar goal.
Brazilian striker Reinaldo almost forced the equaliser on the half hour but his downward header from Matt McKay’s swirling free-kick was well saved by Solomon’s ‘keeper Fred Hale.
Sasa Ognenovski was next to go close for the home side as the half time whistle approached, but his well-directed header from McKay’s corner was well turned away by Hale.
Farina rang the changes at the start of the second period, making four substitutions.
There was an immediate impact and a lively Roar were level in the 48th minute through Ante Milicic’s precise finish from 18 metres after neat work from substitute Simon Lynch.
Roar were again dominating but didn’t create another clear-cut chance until midway through the half.
Brazilian duo Marcinho and Reinaldo combined neatly with the latter firing a powerful drive across the face of goal but agonisingly just wide of the post.
The action dwindled towards the end but Coach Frank Farina said the game served its purpose for his side.
“We expected a tough game and that’s how it turned out. The Solomon Islands were well organised and made it difficult for us but as an exercise it was certainly useful as far as we’re concerned,” said Farina.
Roar players will mix with fans at the Queensland Roar Family Fun Day to be held at Roma Street Parkland this Sunday (19 August; 10.00am – 3.00pm), before entering into their final week of training before the big kick-off.
Queensland Roar FC:
1.Liam REDDY (gk) (McMaster 62), 4.Craig MOORE (Nichols 76), 8.Massimo MURDOCCA (McLaren 46), 10.Ante MILICIC, 11.REINALDO (Fenehia 81), 15.Matt McKAY (Zullo 46), 16.Hyuk-Su SEO, 18.Danny TIATTO (Richter 62),19. Sasa OGNENOVSKI (McCloughan 46), 21.Chris GROSSMAN (Lynch 46), 23.MARCINHO.
Frank Farina was presented with a few late selection headaches, notably with young defender Ben Griffin who was a late casualty after reporting flu-like symptoms during the day.
With a number of other players carrying minor knocks, the Roar boss called upon trialists Victor Fenehia and Jonti Richter to sit on the bench.
Also missing was speedy forward Tahj Minniecon who was nursing a bruised foot, but midfielder Massimo Murdocca made a welcome return in the centre of midfield.
Against an athletic and lively Solomon’s side Roar enjoyed the bulk of the early play but Airton Andrioli’s team made the Queenslanders work hard for every ball as they pressed and harried for possession.
Despite Roar’s domination the Soloman Islands opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a simple but nicely worked goal.
Powerful forward Commins Menapi connected forcefully with a pin-point right-wing cross and headed convincingly past Liam Reddy in the Roar goal.
Brazilian striker Reinaldo almost forced the equaliser on the half hour but his downward header from Matt McKay’s swirling free-kick was well saved by Solomon’s ‘keeper Fred Hale.
Sasa Ognenovski was next to go close for the home side as the half time whistle approached, but his well-directed header from McKay’s corner was well turned away by Hale.
Farina rang the changes at the start of the second period, making four substitutions.
There was an immediate impact and a lively Roar were level in the 48th minute through Ante Milicic’s precise finish from 18 metres after neat work from substitute Simon Lynch.
Roar were again dominating but didn’t create another clear-cut chance until midway through the half.
Brazilian duo Marcinho and Reinaldo combined neatly with the latter firing a powerful drive across the face of goal but agonisingly just wide of the post.
The action dwindled towards the end but Coach Frank Farina said the game served its purpose for his side.
“We expected a tough game and that’s how it turned out. The Solomon Islands were well organised and made it difficult for us but as an exercise it was certainly useful as far as we’re concerned,” said Farina.
Roar players will mix with fans at the Queensland Roar Family Fun Day to be held at Roma Street Parkland this Sunday (19 August; 10.00am – 3.00pm), before entering into their final week of training before the big kick-off.
Queensland Roar FC:
1.Liam REDDY (gk) (McMaster 62), 4.Craig MOORE (Nichols 76), 8.Massimo MURDOCCA (McLaren 46), 10.Ante MILICIC, 11.REINALDO (Fenehia 81), 15.Matt McKAY (Zullo 46), 16.Hyuk-Su SEO, 18.Danny TIATTO (Richter 62),19. Sasa OGNENOVSKI (McCloughan 46), 21.Chris GROSSMAN (Lynch 46), 23.MARCINHO.
Related Articles
Fresh talent flock to ambitious A-League outfit's pro pathway
Why A-League 20/21 is crucial for Olyroos’ medal hopes
