Brisbane Roar has edged out Melbourne Victory in a close-fought pre-season battle in Ipswich, with Kwame Yeboah’s 83rd minute goal the only thing separating the two sides.
Brisbane Roar has edged out Melbourne Victory in a close-fought pre-season battle in Ipswich, with Kwame Yeboah-s 83rd minute goal the only thing separating the two sides.
Playing on an underwhelming pitch, Victory were able to create several chances, but it was the Roar who were able to capitalise, playing with an extra man after Francesco Stella-s 75th minute dismissal.
To check out Brisbane Roar’s video highlights of the match, click here.
Victory-s start looked promising, with Andrew Nabbout going close in just the third minute after catching Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo out of position, but his shot flew over the bar.
Victory, who wore their new-look adidas home kits for the first time since their recent reveal, almost delivered the opener in stoppage time in the first half, but Jimmy Jeggo-s shot from inside the six yard box was cleared off the line by Roar captain, Matt Smith.
Victory boss Ange Postecoglou made three changes at half time, with Adama Traore, Jesse Makarounas and Andrew Nabbout replaced by Scott Galloway, Francesco Stella and trialist Andreas Govas.
Both sides continued to look to attack as the second half got underway, but the teams couldn-t be separated, as both coaches again looked to their benches to find an opener.
Postecoglou introduced Gui Finkler on the hour mark for Jason Geria, while young Jordan Brown also saw game time, coming on for Jeggo in the 65th minute.
The task then got harder for the boys in blue, with Stella receiving his second yellow card in the 75th minute of the pre-season clash, leaving his side to play out the last 15 minutes with just ten men.
And it only took eight minutes for Roar to make the most of their numerical advantage when Yeboah broke the deadlock and smashed a half-volley past Victory ‘keeper Nathan Coe.
Postecoglou made one final change, with trialist Brent McGrath coming on for Socceroo Connor Pain, but it wasn-t to be for Victory as it tasted defeat in its first pre-season game against Hyundai A-League opposition.
Brisbane Roar 1 (Yeboah 83-)
Melbourne Victory 0
Crowd: 2,542 at North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich, Queensland
Melbourne Victory: Nathan Coe, Jason Geria (Finkler 60-), Nick Ansell, Adrian Leijer, Adama Traore (Scott Galloway 45-) Jimmy Jeggo (Jordan Brown 65-), Leigh Broxham, Jesse Makarounas (Andreas Govas 45-), Mitch Nichols, Andrew Nabbout (Francesco Stella 45-), Connor Pain (Brent McGrath 80-).
Picture credit: @brisbaneroar via Twitter
