Roar The Best We've Ever Seen?

Coach Ange Postecoglou has his team playing some delightful football.

Days after ending the home unbeaten run of Wellington Phoenix, Roar came home and played Adelaide off the park.

They also did it with 10 men for the final half hour, a period in which they scored three goals.

There's no guarantee the result would have been the same if the Adelaide line up contained dangerous duo Mathew Leckie and Marcos Flores.

But Roar don't rely on individual stars, even if they do have the likes of the brilliant Thomas Broich in their ranks.

The comparisons are drawn with a couple of title-winning Melbourne Victory sides, including one that included Brazilian Fred, one of the A-League's finest ever players.

Perhaps the question should be left unanswered until the end of the season.

The cliché says you have to beat the best to be the best.

Although this Roar will never go up against Victory sides of day gone by, if they take out this season's championship they must surely top the list.

And if current style and form is anything to go by, Brisbane have it sewn up.

The other four games this round finished 1-0, with reigning champion Sydney FC finally moving off the bottom of the league table, albeit under controversial circumstances.

North Queensland Fury 0
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Patrick Zwaanswijk 36')
Crowd: 3625 @ Dairy Farmers Stadium

Central Coast defender Patrick Zwaanswijk again popped up to be the match winner for Graham Arnold's side against North Queensland Fury.

He bulleted home a header from an Oliver Bozanic corner in the first half, the second winning goal he has scored against Fury this season.

Central Coast were dominant in the first half against an uncharacteristically flat Fury side, although they lifted their tempo in the second half.

Lively striker David Williams struck inches wide or over Mathew Ryan's goal on at least three occasions.

He also had what appeared to be a legitimate penalty shout turned away after Ryan caught his leg when he attempted to round the young shot stopper.

Ryan palmed away a long shot from Isaka Cernak soon after, taking his tally to five clean sheets in eight appearances for the Mariners.

Despite the late controversy, the Mariners were good value for their three points.

North Queensland Fury: 1. Justin PASFIELD (gk), 5. Mark HUGHES, 7. Gareth EDDS (c), 9. Eugene SSEPPUYA (19. Isaka CERNAK 46'), 10. Dyron DAAL, 11. David WILLIAMS, 13. Andre KILIAN (6. Ufuk TALAY 63'), 14. Chris GROSSMAN, 15. Chris PAYNE, 16. Simon STOREY (3. Brad MCDONALD 53'), 17. Osama MALIK

Unused sub: 28. Sebastian USAI (gk)

Yellow cards: Talay 74', Hughes 86', Daal 87'

Red cards: None

Central Coast Mariners: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2. Daniel MCBREEN (23. Adam KWASNIK 83'), 3. Joshua ROSE, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 11. Oliver BOZANIC (12. Matthew LEWIS 69'), 14. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 22. Mustafa AMINI (7. John HUTCHINSON 59')

Unused sub: 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Man of the Match - North Queensland Fury's David Williams had a fantastic game, despite his team losing. He was simply too quick and skilful for the defenders, as evidenced by his legitimate penalty claim against goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

Weakest Player - No player particularly underperformed. Ratings by Arabella Vaughan

Melbourne Victory 0
Gold Coast United 1 (Rodrigo Vargas (og) 55')
Crowd: 15,534 @ Etihad Stadium

Gold Coast United entered the scene of last year's massacre and left 1-0 winners against Melbourne Victory.

United never looked like scoring and the only goal of the game came courtesy of Victory defender Rodrigo Vargas heading the ball into his own net.

The home side struggled to make an impact going forward, but will be pleased returning striker Archie Thompson returned with a second-half performance.

United shot stopper Glen Moss took a clean sheet from his former home venue while Victory are yet to put together back-to-back wins but it's not cause for panic.

Meanwhile, Miron Bleiberg's men remain undefeated on the road and are now unbeaten in their last nine.

Melbourne Victory: 1. Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 2. Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC (10. Archie THOMPSON 46'), 5. Surat SUKHA (6. Leigh BROXHAM 69'), 8. Grant BREBNER, 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 14. Billy CELESKI, 15. Tom PONDELJAK, 16. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 21. Robbie KRUSE, 23. Adrian LEIJER (11. Marvin ANGULO 60')

Unused sub: 20. Sebastian MATTEI (gk)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Gold Coast United: 1. Glen MOSS (gk), 2. Steve PANTELIDIS, 3. Michael THWAITE, 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Zenon CARAVELLA, 8. ANDERSON (16. Kristian REES 81'), 10. Jason CULINA (c), 13. Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14. Joel PORTER (27. Chris HAROLD 59'), 22. Adama TRAORE, 26. Ben HALLORAN (5. ROBSON 63')

Unused sub: 30. Jerrad TYSON (gk)

Yellow card: Moss 84'

Red cards: None

Man of the Match - A defensive clinic from Gold Coast United was typified by the outstanding work of Michael Thwaite, who was supported equally well by Bas Van Den Brink.

Weakest Player - An early struggle with youngster Ben Halloran would not have bothered Melbourne Victory's Rodrigo Vargas as much as his unfortunate, but not unavoidable, own goal. A frustrating evening for a man who has been in good form this season. Ratings by Matt Dorman

Brisbane Roar 4 (Reinaldo 43', Matthew Smith 56', Kosta Barbarouses 62'67')
Adelaide United 0
Crowd: 13,248 @ Suncorp Stadium

Billed as a top of the table encounter, Brisbane Roar romped home with a 4-0 thrashing of Adelaide United.

Only days after disposing of Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium, Roar again proved they are by far the finest team in this year's competition, despite having striker Reinaldo sent off with the score at 1-0.

He had earlier opened the scoring before Matthew Smith doubled the lead and Kosta Barbarouses finished sublimely twice.

His first was sweetly struck into the bottom corner after a wall pass with Mitch Nichols while his second beat Eugene Galekovic high to his left.

The difference Mathew Leckie and Marcos Flores could have made for the Reds can't be underestimated, but they were beaten by a quality football team.

Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matthew SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES (9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO 68'), 8. Massimo MURDOCCA (17. Mitch NICHOLS 58'), 11. REINALDO, 12. Matt MUNDY, 15. Matt MCKAY (c), 22. Thomas BROICH (14. Rocky VISCONTE 79'), 23. Milan SUSAK

Unused sub: 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk)

Yellow card: Reinaldo 45+2'

Red card: Reinaldo 54'

Adelaide United: 1. Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2. Robert CORNTHWAITE (24. Cameron WATSON 63'), 4. Iain FYFE, 6. CASSIO, 7. Lucas PANTELIS (c), 8. Adam HUGHES, 9. Sergio VAN DIJK, 12. Paul REID, 17. Iain RAMSAY (16. Inseob SHIN 73'), 18. Fabian BARBIERO (13. Travis DODD 60'), 26. Joseph KEENAN

Unused sub: 20. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk)

Yellow card: Cornthwaite 53'

Red cards: None

Man of the match - A number of players were fantastic for the Brisbane Roar but I have to give this one to Luke DeVere. The young defender was solid at the back and also played a key part in two of Brisbane’s goals.

Weakest player - Adelaide United’s Robert Cornthwaite didn’t do his side any favours during Brisbane’s ten minute burst. The centre-half missed a crucial interception for the second goal before being dragged out of position for the third. MD
 

Perth Glory 0
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Tim Brown 1')
Crowd: 6676 @ nib Stadium

Perth Glory succumbed to another defeat, stretching their winless run to nine with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Wellington Phoenix.

Phoenix finally won away from home courtesy of a cracking strike from Tim Brown in the opening minute.

Captain Jacob Burns also received his marching orders for a second yellow card late in the contest and he was one of nine players booked in the game.

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert will be pleased with the way his team responded after being on the wrong end of a home defeat mid-week.

Brown's goal was just the fourth Phoenix have scored in seven road trips this season.

Things just don't get better for Glory, with a trip to Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday night.

Perth Glory: 1. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3. Jamie COYNE, 4. Andy TODD, 7. Jacob BURNS (c), 10. Michael BAIRD (9. Robbie FOWLER 61'), 12. Scott NEVILLE (5. Jamie HARNWELL 33'), 13. Tommy AMPHLETT (16. Adriano PELLEGRINO 74'), 15. Howard FONDYKE, 17. Todd HOWARTH, 18. Brent GRIFFITHS, 21. Mile STERJOVSKI

Unused sub: 20. Alex VRTESKI (gk)

Yellow cards: Neville 31', Burns 33', Griffiths 64', Todd 90+2'

Red card: Burns 80'

Wellington Phoenix: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS (21. Marco ROJAS 90+2'), 8. Paul IFILL (23. Dylan MACALLISTER 72'), 9. Chris GREENACRE (11. DANIEL 69'), 15. Jade NORTH, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 26. Simon ELLIOTT

Unused sub: 19. Danny VUKOVIC (gk)

Yellow cards: Lia 34', Brown 44', Elliott 68', Muscat 70', Durante 90+1'

Red cards: None

Man of the match - Wellington Phoenix’s Mark Paston was in superb form and proved just why he’s keeping a quality keeper in Danny Vukovic out of the side.

Weakest player - Perth Glory’s Michael Baird squandered so many chances. He was so close to scoring, yet so far away. AV

Sydney FC 1 (Bruno Cazarine 76')
Newcastle Jets 0
Crowd: 8512 @ Sydney Football Stadium

Sydney FC's revival continued albeit in fortuitous circumstances with a 1-0 home win over Newcastle Jets.

The Sky Blues have won two of their last three and finally moved off the bottom of the league table, courtesy of Bruno Cazarine's fifth goal of the season.

But it came in controversial circumstances after it appeared the ball had crossed the line before Hirofumi Moriyasu cut it back for the assist.

There was little in the game to inspire confidence in either sets of fans but Sydney FC will be glad to take the three points.

The woes in front of goals for the Jets continues with the side only scoring five goals in 11 outings this season.

Sydney FC: 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 3. Stephan KELLER, 5. Hayden FOXE, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU (2. Sebastian RYALL 84'), 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c) (7. Brendan GAN 61'), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 23. Rhyan GRANT (24. Dimitri PETRATOS 71')

Unused sub: 1. Liam REDDY (gk)

Yellow card: McFlynn 59'

Red cards: None

Newcastle Jets: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 3. Adam D'APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (c), 6. Ben KANTAROVSKI, 10. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 11. Tarek ELRICH, 14. Labinot HALITI (5. Ljubo MILICEVIC 86'), 18. Marko JESIC (7. Kasey WEHRMAN 87'), 19. Ali ABBAS, 22. Kaz PATAFTA (15. Sean ROONEY 71')

Unused sub: 40. Matthew NASH (gk)

Yellow cards: Regan 4', Wehrman 89'

Red cards: None

Man of the Match - Sydney FC's Alex Brosque was instrumental in his side's 1-0 win tonight. The Socceroos striker carved out chance after chance, absolutely tearing up the left side of the Sydney attack.

Weakest Player - Not so much a player, as a match official. Step right up, referee Chris Beath. What were you thinking when you allowed that goal? AV

Weekend Break: Melbourne Heart

Mid-week:
Adelaide United v Perth Glory @ Hindmarsh Stadium
North Queensland Fury v Melbourne Heart @ Dairy Farmers Stadium

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 League Table

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 - Leading Goal-Scorers

5 - Kosta BARBAROUSES, Bruno CAZARINE, Robbie KRUSE, Sergio VAN DIJK

4 - Alex BROSQUE, Chris GREENACRE, Paul IFILL, Mathew LECKIE, REINALDO, David WILLIAMS

3 - John ALOISI, Leo BERTOS, Thomas BROICH, Tim BROWN, Bruce DJITE, Marcos FLORES, Nick KALMAR, Mitch NICHOLS, Chris PAYNE, Iain RAMSAY, Matt SIMON, Mile STERJOVSKI

2 - Shannon COLE, Jason CULINA, Robbie FOWLER, Iain FYFE, Rostyn GRIFFITHS, Chris GROSSMAN, Carlos HERNANDEZ, Mark HUGHES, Branko JELIC, Daniel MCBREEN, Kevin MUSCAT, Scott NEVILLE, Patricio PEREZ, Gerald SIBON, Shane SMELTZ, Alex TERRA, Patrick ZWAANSWIJK

1 - Eli BABALJ, Michael BAIRD, Grant BREBNER, Michael BRIDGES, Jeremy BROCKIE, James BROWN, Leigh BROXHAM, Billy CELESKI, Isaka CERNAK, John CURTIS, Dyron DAAL, Luke DEVERE, Dino DJULBIC, Travis DODD, Mate DUGANDZIC, Ivan FRANJIC, Rhyan GRANT, Labinot HALITI, Jamie HARNWELL, Scott JAMIESON, Stephan KELLER, Adam KWASNIK, Matthew LEWIS, Terry MCFLYNN, Matt MCKAY, Daniel MULLEN, Massimo MURDOCCA, Erik PAARTALU, Tom PONDELJAK, RICARDINHO, Sean ROONEY, Ben SIGMUND, Matthew SMITH, Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, Eugene SSEPPUYA, Simon STOREY, Matt THOMPSON, Adama TRAORE, Rodrigo VARGAS, Nick WARD, Alex WILKINSON, Rutger WORM