Wanderers 2 - 2 Roar

An excellent pitch played host to Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar in the first A-League match held in Mudgee.

As a part of the Wanderers’ Community Round initiative the clash with the Roar took place at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium.

     RBB does Mudgee: Fan pics & reactions     

From the offset, the intent of the Wanderers was clear, with youngsters Bruce Kamau and Jordan O’Doherty kepeping their place in the side following a fantastic showing last week against the Wellington Phoenix.

They justified their spots in the Starting XI with rampant displays against Roar.

Brisbane having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 matches away from home went one worse in Mudgee. Meanwhile, the Wanderers seemed to attract the post more often than goalkeeper Jamie Young’s gloves (or the back of the net).

As Markus Babbel's men backed away, the path towards goal began to open up for Brisbane, allowing the likes of Alex Lopez and Eric Bautheac to work their magic.

Western Sydney Wanderers

Vedran Janjetovic — 6

Against the run of play, he stretched out brilliantly to save against Bautheac’s low drive in the first period. Was good throughout with some effective distribution.

Josh Risdon — 6.5

Fresh from another call up to Graham Arnold’s Socceroos squad, Risdon looked to involve himself throughout the match, playing with guile and determination. Had Mikkelsen in his pocket throughout.

Tarek Elrich — 6

Continued his fine run in an unfamiliar central defensive role, displaying composure when his side needed him to.

Brendan Hamill — 6

The captain left no space for Brisbane to work through, playing in his typical no nonsense fashion.

Raul Llorente — 6.5

In the thick of things from the first minute, constantly gliding forward with speed and tenacity.

Keanu Baccus — 7

Relentlessly worked to press the Brisbane midfielders alongside O’Doherty. Passed well and was cunning with his tackling.

Jordan O’Doherty — 7.5

Rarely gave Brisbane’s players a second on the ball, intervening desperately in defence and leading the Wanderers’ press. Denied a goal by Jamie Young.

Alex Baumjohann — 6

The ex-Bayern Munich midfielder played through some perfectly weighted passes in the first half to set up his teammates brilliantly. Had a tendency to give away clumsy fouls, a factor which resulted directly in Brisbane’s equaliser from the penalty spot as the German brought down Bautheac.

Nick Fitzgerald — 7.5

A beautifully measured pass in behind the Brisbane backline set up Kamau in the lead up to Riera’s opener. A constant nuisance until his early substitution in the second period.

Bruce Kamau — 8

Wily and supremely proactive, Kamau’s time under Markus Babbel seems to have done wonders for the winger. His runs in behind handed Riera two of the easiest goals he’ll ever score, while he himself was unlucky not to see his fantastic work rewarded with a goal, seeing his shot from a tight angle deflect off the post to Riera for the Wanderers’ opener.

Oriol Riera — 7

After a few weeks of inconsistency and a lack of joy in front of goal, he found himself at the right place at the right time to bury Kamau’s deflected shot. Had that man again Kamau to thank for his second, burying his penalty saved by Jamie Young.

SUBS

Jaushua Sotirio — 7

Brought on to bring energy back in to the Wanderers side and came close to providing a lead with a curling shot that just hit the post, continuing a theme of the Wanderers leading the charts in shots on the woodwork.

Rashid Mahazi — 6

Nullified some of Brisbane’s potential attacking threats with his presence.

Brisbane Roar

Jamie Young — 7

Did fantastically to save against Riera’s penalty and was genuinely unlucky to see the follow up from the Spaniard go in. Continued to make good saves throughout.

Jack Hingert — 6

A fairly solid showing from the right back going forward, but defensively he was consistently pulled out of his position by Kamau and Fitzgerald, leaving ample amounts of space for the Wanderers to work through.

Jacob Pepper — 5

No argument from the player or his teammates, the central defender gave away a clear cut penalty. Lost his cool at times.

Avram Papadopoulos — 6.5

Imposed himself well against the Wanderers attack, winning many of the challenges he through himself in to.

Connor O’Toole — 6.5

A sturdy performance from the left back who also sent in some positive crosses to his teammates.

Thomas Kristensen — 7

Intercepted and distributed the ball well, but was most essential in the amount of headers he contested and won for his side, especially as the Wanderers attempted a late flurry.

Matt McKay — 6

A good asset across all areas of the pitch, combining well with his teammates and forever providing an option. A true leader.

Alex Lopez — 7.5

Lopez demonstrated an impressive creativity in the attacking third, maintaining his positive work going forward having previously made 41 total passes in the front third in the opening three rounds of the season (second only to Luke Brattan’s 43). Impressively shifted away from O’Doherty and displayed sumptuous technique to fire from range past Janjetovic.

Tobias Mikkelsen — 4

Dispossessed frequently due to the urgency of the Wanderers in their pressing. Hardly sighted and was kept quiet.

Eric Bautheac — 6.5

Tested Janjetovic with a good drive that would have been an instant equaliser had it slipped through. Brisbane’s chief creative force and responsible for the Roar’s second half equaliser, as he was brought down in the box by Baumjohann.

Adam Taggart — 6

Unsuccessful on the goal front in the first half, albeit not for a lack of trying. The second half was again mixed for the peripheral Socceroo, slamming home a penalty, but seeing some of his touches and shots go awry.

SUBS

Henrique — 7

Brought on at a fantastic time as Brisbane began to truly balance out the game. Linked up positively with Taggart.

Daniel Bowles — 6

Defensively solid, having been brought on to help retain the point for Brisbane.

Dane Ingham — N/A

Brought on to wind down the minutes.