Melbourne Victory slipped to a narrow defeat away to Brisbane Roar in Round 6 of the Isuzu UTE A-League on Friday night.
Sam Klein’s third-minute goal was the difference under the lights at Suncorp Stadium in a tightly-contested Round 6 clash.
And a tricky start was compounded by a tough end for the travelling Victory, with midfielder Denis Genreau given his marching orders deep into second-half injury-time.
Team News
Arthur Diles settled on two changes to the team that started away to Sydney FC in Round 5.
Notably, Louis D’Arrigo came in for his full debut, having come off the bench in New South Wales, with the other switch seeing Sebastian Esposito brought into the backline.
These alterations meant Lachlan Jackson missed out on the matchday squad, and Juan Mata was among the substitutes along with Nishan Velupillay, who was making a welcome return after missing the start of the season through injury.
Match Action
Brisbane were quick out of the traps, and working an angle to deliver from a premeditated free-kick routine, it took not one but two interventions from Roderick Miranda on his 100th start for the Club to deny the hosts.
Unfortunately, more scrambled defence, in just the third minute, could not deny the Roar. Michael Ruhs crossed low into the box, and despite fellow forward Justin Vidic not being able to turn and shoot, he showed good awareness to tee up Klein, who planted his finish into the top corner.
From the early setback, Victory grew into the contest. They were having success out on the left through Keegan Jelacic, with the Queensland native enjoying the battle against his former club, but crafted their first major chance through a congested midfield battleground thanks to intricate play.
Denis Genreau and Jing Reec exchanged neat passes, and when the ball was returned back to the tall striker, it took a brilliant save from Dean Bouzanis to deny the 22-year-old from close range.
Reec was, though, getting under the skin of those in orange jerseys, and a rash challenge on him from Milorad Stajic sparked a melee, the result of which was yellow cards for Vidic, Sebastian Esposito and, on the touchline, Michael Valkanis.
Refusing to get drawn into the antics, Victory channelled their energies in a positive manner, nearly producing an equaliser. Matthew Grimaldi foraged down the right and drifted in field to lay up Jordi Valadon, whose creeping attempt forced a diving save.
Half-time: Brisbane Roar 1-0 Melbourne Victory
Diles activated his bench for the restart, and Santos, replacing Grimaldi, nearly made an immediate impact twice. He first shimmied inside to test the handling of Bouzanis with a left-footed effort before the goalkeeper, by fractions, beat him to a searching Esposito pass.
And after a spell where neither side gained much control of the football, it was again Santos asking questions. Fresh from keeping Bouzanis honest with a skidding shot, the Brazilian let rip a half-volley that, via a deflection, took a superb reflex stop to keep out.
Midway through the second half, Nikos Vergos was introduced in place of Reec, then with less than 20 minutes to go, Mata and Velupillay entered the fray. But as the Roar retreated deeper into their own half, it became increasingly challenging to craft clear-cut opportunities.
Victory were, however, unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty during the closing stages when Stajic clearly handled a cross, only for a VAR check to uphold the on-field decision of the referee.
Then, as the clock ran down, Brisbane held possession high in the Victory half, leading to a skirmish in the corner. The upshot, Genreau, following a lengthy VAR review, which included consultation with the pitchside monitor, was shown a straight red card.
Match Details
Brisbane Roar 1 (KLEIN 3′)
Melbourne Victory 0
Brisbane Roar starting XI: 1. Dean BOUZANIS (GK), 23. James MCGARRY, 12. Lucas HERRINGTON, 3. Dimitri VALKANIS, 2. Youstin SALAS, 10. Georgios VRAKAS (31. Noah MAIERONI 64′), 77. Milorad STAJIC, 26. James O’SHEA (C), 8. Samuel KLEIN (30. Quinn MACNICOL 64′), 19. Michael RUHS (9. Christopher LONG 73′), 17. Justin Vidic (13. Henry HORE 85′).
Substitutes not used: 11. Macklin FREKE (GK), 6. Austin LUDWIK, 44. Jordan LAUTON.
Booking: VALKANIS 30′, VIDIC 31′, RUHS 60′.
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 2. Jason DAVIDSON, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 15. Sebastian ESPOSITO, 16. Joshua INSERRA (22. Joshua RAWLINS 80′), 8. Jordi VALADON, 27. Louis D’ARRIGO (64. Juan MATA 72′), 23. Keegan JELACIC (17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 72′), 14. Matthew GRIMALDI (11. SANTOS 46′), 10. Denis GENREAU, 19. Jing REEC (9. Nikos VERGOS 64′).
Substitutes not used: 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY (GK), 29. Oliver DRAGICEVIC.
Booking: ESPOSITO 31′, MIRANDA 35′, GENREAU sent off 90+10′.
Coming soon
The third away game in as many rounds takes Victory to Macarthur FC on Friday, December 5, kick-off 7:35pm AEDT, before the Original Rivalry comes to Melbourne. Get behind the Club’s Men’s and Women’s teams on Saturday, December 13, in an AAMI Park double header.
