Who Can Stop Roar Juggernaut?

Roar were back to near their best in a 4-0 thumping of Gold Coast United to celebrate receiving the Premiers Plate.

Boss Ange Postecoglou elected to play the first leg of their tie against Central Coast Mariners at Bluetongue Stadium.

Unbeaten in 25 and with only one loss this campaign, Brisbane appears to be on an unstoppable rampage to do the double.

But which of their finals rivals leads the charge and is most likely to cause an upset?

The Mariners deservedly finished second and head into their meetings against Brisbane on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run.

The settled line up and strong defence means Graham Arnold’s men are most likely to steal Brisbane’s thunder in the finals.

But the others can’t be written off either, particularly Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory, who played out an entertaining encounter on Friday night.

The Reds have been up and down of late but with the attacking spark of Marcos Flores, Sergio van Dijk, Travis Dodd and Mathew Leckie, they can cause any team problems.

They will have to overcome a Phoenix side that upset them at Hindmarsh Stadium just weeks ago.

Fierce rival Victory will hang on being the only team to beat Brisbane this season and it was a resounding 3-0 win.

They should have made it two but for a refereeing error that allowed Michael Theoklitos to deliver a long pass that eventually led to a late equalizer.

Similarly to Adelaide, Victory possess attacking weapons in Archie Thompson, Robbie Kruse, Danny Allsopp and Carlos Hernandez.

Experience in big games, for the players and for the club, could be an advantage if they were to face Brisbane.

Gold Coast have won just one of their last five and are unlikely to trouble Roar while Phoenix have major hurdles to overcome before they begin worrying about Brisbane.

Central Coast are capable, but can anyone stop the juggernaut?

Adelaide United 2 (Paul Reid 6’, Travis Dodd 78’)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Archie Thompson 65’)
Crowd: 21,083 @ Adelaide Oval

Adelaide United cemented third spot with an exciting 2-1 victory over Melbourne Victory in front of a blockbuster crowd.

Captain Travis Dodd scored the winner after Archie Thompson had cancelled out Paul Reid’s opener.

Young gun Mathew Leckie looked like he was heading back to his best following his return from injury, while Victory would have been pleased with the output from Marvin Angulo.

But the home side took the early lead after Reid’s swinging free kick evaded everyone in the area and slid past Michael Petkovic.

Mate Dugandzic had a glorious chance for the visitors after a delightful back flick from Robbie Kruse, but he pulled his shot wide of goal.

Kruse had a similarly decent chance on the counter attack soon after, but he was outsmarted by a fine piece of defending from Nigel Boogaard.

But with the introduction of Thompson and Carlos Hernandez in the second half came renewed energy for Victory and they found an equalizer in the 65^th minute.

Reds defender Dario Bodrusic was caught taking too much time on the ball and Danny Allsopp set up Thompson, who curled beautifully into the corner.

As Victory looked more likely to find a winner, the Reds went down the other end and Dodd rose unmarked from an Iain Ramsay free kick to head perfectly into the corner of an unmoved Petkovic’s net.

Hernandez wasn’t far away when his long-range shot deflected and struck the post, but the Reds hung on for a second consecutive win over their rivals.

It settled the top six and leaves Adelaide hosting Wellington and Victory travelling to the Gold Coast in knockout games.

Adelaide United: 1. Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 3. Nigel BOOGAARD, 8. Adam HUGHES, 10. Marcos FLORES, 11. Andwele SLORY (17. Iain RAMSAY 37’), 12. Paul REID, 13. Travis DODD (c), 14. Cameron WATSON, 16. Dario BODRUSIC (2. Robert CORNTHWAITE 69’), 19. Mathew LECKIE (7. Lucas PANTELIS 83’), 21. Francisco USUCAR
Unused sub: 20. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk)
Yellow cards: Bodrusic (62’), Boogaard (65’), Flores (88’)
Red cards: None

Melbourne Victory: 1. Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC (16. Carlos HERNANDEZ 57’), 4. Petar FRANJIC, 7. Matthew KEMP (5. Surat SUKHA 76’), 11. Marvin ANGULO, 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 15. Tom PONDELJAK (10. Archie THOMPSON 57’), 18. Danny ALLSOPP, 21. Robbie KRUSE, 23. Adrian LEIJER (c) 

Melbourne Heart 2 (Rutger Worm 41’, John Aloisi 62’)
Sydney FC 2 (Nick Carle 35’(pen), 88’)
Crowd: 6019 @ AAMI Park

A brace from Nick Carle denied three retiring Melbourne Heart veterans a successful send off after Sydney FC snatched a late 2-2 draw.

Socceroo duo John Aloisi and Josip Skoko got standing ovations in the second half while fellow retiree Gerald Sibon saw red just before the break.

After Heart made the more lively start, Carle opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Skoko brought down Hirofumi Moriyasu.

But Dutch winger Rutger Worm levelled soon after, hitting the roof of the net after Sibon played him behind with a deft through pass.

Sibon’s night ended early when Ben Williams gave him his marching orders in the 44^th minute.

The giant Dutchman took a quick free kick he thought had been awarded to Simon Colosimo but was given a second yellow card for kicking the ball away.

Despite being down to 10 men, Heart were the better side in the second half and got their due reward in fairytale fashion through Aloisi.

In typical fashion, Aloisi swept home a loose ball from inside the area past Liam Reddy, who stood no chance.

Both he and Skoko were substituted to standing ovations before Carle spoiled the party late on.

The lively midfielder struck a low shot past Clint Bolton and into the corner of the net, extending Sydney’s unbeaten run to eight.

Both teams were playing for little but the Sky Blues look prepared for their Asian Champions League campaign.

Melbourne Heart: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Michael MARRONE, 4. Simon COLOSIMO (c), 6. Matt THOMPSON, 7. Rutger WORM (22. Nick KALMAR 73’), 9. Gerald SIBON, 10. Wayne SRHOJ, 14. Kamal IBRAHIM, 15. John ALOISI (8. Kristian SARKIES 83’), 16. Aziz BEHICH, 20. Josip SKOKO (5. Michael BEAUCHAMP 70’)
Unused sub: 12. Peter ZOIS (gk)
Yellow cards: Srhoj (20’), Sibon (29’44’), Skoko (34’), Aloisi (62’)
Red card: Sibon (44’)

Sydney FC: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL (22. Sung Hwan BYUN 58’), 3. Stephan KELLER, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU (7. Brendan GAN 81’), 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 10. Nick CARLE, 12. Shannon COLE (11. Kofi DANNING 70’), 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 17. Matthew JURMAN, 18. Juho MAKELA, 21. Scott JAMIESON
Unused sub: 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk)
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None 

Man of the Match – Sydney FC’s Nick Carle has found some excellent form in recent weeks and it continued in this match. The killer touch he missed earlier in the season (before being injured) was back, as he contributed two goals to his team to salvage a point at the death.

Key moment – Gerald Sibon’s sending off should’ve been the key moment in the game, however, Sydney FC failed to capitalise on the one man advantage over Melbourne Heart. It was only after coming back to 2-2 that they really seemed to kick it up a notch and by then it was really too late. Ratings by Arabella Vaughan

Brisbane Roar 4 (Kosta Barbarouses 3’, Erik Paartalu 42’, Henrique 66’, Thomas Broich 85’)
Gold Coast United 0
Crowd: 20,831 @ Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane Roar entered the finals in perfect fashion with a 4-0 romp over Gold Coast United to register their first ever M1 Derby.

Celebrating receiving the Premiers Plate in front of a huge crowd at Suncorp Stadium, Roar turned on the style against their rivals.

Striker Kosta Barbarouses got the ball rolling with a fine curling strike from just outside the area, beating a diving Glen Moss in the United goal.

Roar dominated most of the opening period in what developed to be a physical and bruising encounter.

They got their reward with the second just before half time when Erik Paartalu scored his third goal of the season with the pick of the bunch.

Thomas Broich was the architect, crossing from the left hand side before the midfielder struck a venomous left foot volley from just inside the area and past Moss.

United came the closest they did all night when Shane Smeltz struck a stinging free kick onto the crossbar.

Hard-working midfielder Henrique ensured the result just after the hour mark, shooting high into the net after Ivan Franjic played him through.

Broich put the exclamation mark on the result after Matt McKay unselfishly squared for him to tap in to an open net.

Roar will face Central Coast Mariners over two legs and deserve a home grand final while United host Melbourne Victory in a form slump that has seen them win only one of their last five outings.

Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk) (20. Andrew REDMAYNE 80’), 2. Matthew SMITH, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. HENRIQUE (25. Christopher BUSH 68’), 15. Matt MCKAY (c), 17. Mitch NICHOLS (14. Rocky VISCONTE 59’), 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK
Unused subs: 12. Matt MUNDY
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None

Gold Coast United: 1. Glen MOSS (gk), 2. Steve PANTELIDIS, 3. Michael THWAITE (c), 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Zenon CARAVELLA, 8. ANDERSON, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 15. Tahj MINNIECON (32. Steven LUSTICA 78’), 16. Kristian REES (23. Steve FITZSIMMONS 74’), 22. Adama TRAORE, 33. Peter PERCHTOLD (27. Chris HAROLD 70’)
Unused subs: 20. Scott HIGGINS (gk)
Yellow cards: Caravella (55’), Thwaite (87’)
Red cards: None

Man of the match – Kosta Barbarouses was tasked with leading the line for Brisbane and he didn’t disappoint. Several players could lay claim to man-of-the-match honours but the Kiwi just edges it for me. His opener was simply stunning.

Key moment – Gold Coast’s sluggish early defending in allowing Barbarouses to pivot away from three defenders before slamming a stunning strike out of Glen Moss’ reach. From then they were on the back foot and Brisbane capitalised. Ratings by Matt Dorman 

Wellington Phoenix 3 (Chris Greenacre 7’, Dylan Macallister 11’, Danny Vukovic 90+4’(pen))
North Queensland Fury 1 (Brett Studman 66’)
Crowd: 12,700 @ Westpac Stadium

Wellington Phoenix confirmed their spot in the top six with a solid 3-1 victory over North Queensland Fury.

Phoenix held their destiny in their own hands and ensured they would finish sixth thanks to two early goals.

Chris Greenacre opened the scoring in the seventh minute, latching on to a through pass from Marco Rojas and beating the offside trap before sliding his shot under Sebastian Usai.

Fury’s defence failed in the same fashion four minutes later as a raking long ball from defence picked out Dylan Macallister, who took a touch and smartly chipped Usai to make it two.

David Williams went closest for the visitors in the first half when he failed to make contact to an opportunity inside six yards.

But Fury did pull one back via Brett Studman in the second half as he headed well past Danny Vukovic from a corner.

Studman’s fortunes turned for the worst in stoppage time after he was handed a straight red card after pulling Mirjan Pavlovic in a goal scoring opportunity.

Keeper Vukovic stepped up to take the penalty with the last kick of the game, smashing it into the corner.

Phoenix return to Adelaide to face a team they beat just weeks ago while Fury bow out on the back of eight straight losses.

Wellington Phoenix: 19. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Nick WARD, 6. Tim BROWN (c), 9. Chris GREENACRE, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 15. Jade NORTH, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 21. Marco ROJAS (14. Mirjan PAVLOVIC 87’), 23. Dylan MACALLISTER (11. DANIEL 81’)
Unused subs: 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 12. James MUSA
Yellow card: Lochhead (75’)
Red cards: None

North Queensland Fury: 28. Sebastian USAI (gk), 2. Jack HINGERT, 3. Brad MCDONALD, 5. Mark HUGHES, 7. Gareth EDDS (c), 8. Adam CASEY (22. Lorenzo SIPI 46’), 11. David WILLIAMS (21. Jason SPAGNUOLO 71’), 13. Andre KILIAN (28. Alex READ 70’), 14. Chris GROSSMAN, 16. Simon STOREY, 18. Brett STUDMAN
Unused sub: 30. Jerrad TYSON (gk)
Yellow cards: Hingert (55’), Spagnuolo (81’), Read (87’)
Red card: Studman (90+4’)

Man of the Match – It’s been a recurring theme here since Marco Rojas cracked Wellington’s starting eleven. His supreme crossing and dribbling abilities were once again on display, while a clever pass set Greenacre through for the opener.

Key Moment – North Queensland’s defence in the opening 10 minutes gifted Wellington the three points as they were twice made to look second-rate as first Greenacre and then Macallister sprung the offside trap to slot home. MD 

Central Coast Mariners 1 (Patricio Perez 90’)
Newcastle Jets 0
Crowd: 9975 @ Bluetongue Stadium

With the Jets’ season over before the game begun courtesy of Phoenix winning, the visitors still took the game to their more fancied rivals.

Perez enjoyed the best of the chances in the first half, but Ben Kennedy denied him the opener as he squandered another glorious opportunity by blazing over the bar.

The Jets came out with more purpose in the second half and Marko Jesic was denied twice after being brought on.

Fellow substitute Adam Kwasnik thought he had the winner in the dying minutes of regulation time but for some last ditch defending from Nikolai Topor-Stanley.

Mustafa Amini, already having a vital impact after coming on, started the move that led to Perez’s winner.

The youngster played a smart ball through for Joshua Rose, who squared for Perez to apply the easiest of finishes.

It was a ninth-straight game unbeaten for the Mariners who’ll host Roar in the first leg of their tie, while Newcastle’s season was over before the F3 Derby even begun.

Central Coast Mariners: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2. Daniel MCBREEN (22. Mustafa AMINI 78’), 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON (16. Trent SAINSBURY 90+3’), 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 14. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 24. Bernie IBINI-ISEI (23. Adam KWASNIK 61’)
Unused sub: 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk)
Yellow card: Hutchinson (61’)
Red cards: None

Newcastle Jets: 1. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 2. Taylor REGAN, 3. Adam D’APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (c), 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 14. Labinot HALITI (13. Sasho PETROVSKI 70’), 16. Jeremy BROCKIE (18. Marko JESIC 62’), 19. Ali ABBAS (31. Jacob PEPPER 81’), 23. Ryan GRIFFITHS, 28. Mario SIMIC
Unused sub: 40. Matthew NASH (gk)
Yellow cards: D’Apuzzo (25’), Simic (71’)
Red cards: None

Man of the Match – Central Coast Mariners’ Patrick Zwaanswijk was absolutely immense in defence for the Mariners. He’s truly proved himself to be a fantastic acquisition by Graham Arnold this season.

Key Moment – The Mariners’ lacklustre finishing meant the teams went in 0-0 at hald time when they surely could’ve been a few goals up. The poor finishing continued right until the death, when Patricio Perez finally managed to break the deadlock. AV

Weekend Break: Perth Glory

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 League Table

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

16 – Sergio VAN DIJK

11 – Kosta BARBAROUSES, Robbie KRUSE, Matt SIMON, Jean Carlos SOLORZANO

9 – Bruno CAZARINE, Bruce DJITE, Marcos FLORES, Robbie FOWLER, Adam KWASNIK

8 – John ALOISI, Chris GREENACRE

7 – Paul IFILL, Dylan MACALLISTER, Gerald SIBON, Shane SMELTZ

6 – Alex BROSQUE, Tim BROWN, Mitch NICHOLS, Patricio PEREZ, Sasho PETROVSKI

5 – Danny ALLSOPP, Thomas BROICH, Jason CULINA, Travis DODD, Mate DUGANDZIC, Carlos HERNANDEZ, Marko JESIC, Daniel MCBREEN, REINALDO, Mile STERJOVSKI, David WILLIAMS

4 – Iain FYFE, Labinot HALITI, Mark HUGHES, Mathew LECKIE, James MEYER, Chris PAYNE, Iain RAMSAY, Alex TERRA, Archie THOMPSON

3 – Leo BERTOS, Nick CARLE, Shannon COLE, Dino DJULBIC, Chris GROSSMAN, Nick KALMAR, Erik PAARTALU, Dimitri PETRATOS, Joshua ROSE, Ufuk TALAY, Bas VAN DEN BRINK, Rodrigo VARGAS, Patrick ZWAANSWIJK

2 – Eli BABALJ, Grant BREBNER, Jeremy BROCKIE, James BROWN, Dyron DAAL, Ivan FRANJIC, Brendan GAN, Rostyn GRIFFITHS, HENRIQUE, Todd HOWARTH, Branko JELIC, Juho MAKELA, Matt MCKAY, Kevin MUSCAT, Scott NEVILLE, Tom PONDELJAK, Joel PORTER, Paul REID, RICARDINHO, Marco ROJAS, Ben SIGMUND, Matthew SMITH, Matt THOMPSON, Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, Adama TRAORE, Rutger WORM, Ruben ZADKOVICH, Adrian ZAHRA

1 – Ali ABBAS, Mustafa AMINI, Michael BAIRD, Fabian BARBIERO, Andrew BARISIC, Mark BRIDGE, Michael BRIDGES, Leigh BROXHAM, Billy CELESKI, Isaka CERNAK, Simon COLOSIMO, Robert CORNTHWAITE, Jamie COYNE, John CURTIS, Luke DEVERE, Mitchell DUKE, Gareth EDDS, Diogo FERREIRA, Rhyan GRANT, Ryan GRIFFITHS, Jamie HARNWELL, Chris HAROLD, John HUTCHINSON, Bernie IBINI-ISEI, Scott JAMIESON, Francis JEFFERS, Ben KANTAROVSKI, Joseph KEENAN, Stephan KELLER, Matthew LEWIS, Vince LIA, Terry MCFLYNN, Michael MCGLINCHEY, Josh MITCHELL, Hirofumi MORIYASU, Daniel MULLEN, Massimo MURDOCCA, Steve PANTELIDIS, Adriano PELLEGRINO, ROBSON, Sean ROONEY, Zhang SHUO, Eugene SSEPPUYA, Simon STOREY, Brett STUDMAN, Adam TAGGART, Rocky VISCONTE, Danny VUKOVIC, Nick WARD, Alex WILKINSON