Rampant Roar feast on Jets

The Queensland Roar have leapt back into finals contention in emphatic fashion following a devastating 5-0 victory away from home against a hapless Newcastle Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

Roar dominated the contest from the outset with goals provided by five individual scorers as evidence of the one-way nature of the contest.

Midweek speculation surrounded Miron Blieberg’s future at the club following reports of interest in the job by former National coach Frank Farina, however, rather than the rumours unsettling the side, Blieberg and his men sent a message to the board in the best way possible reviving chances of an at times unlikely finals appearance.

Despite a dour opening to the match, it did not take the resurgent Roar long to open the scoring with the match’s first scoring chance in the 10th minute. Following a build up on the wing between Dilevski and Brosque, the former PSV contracted player Dilevski delivered an inch perfect cross to the back post that found Brazilian, Reinaldo, who made no mistake handing the Roar a surprise early advantage.

Jets looked sluggish early on, lacking the fluency on the ball and passing accuracy that was a trademark of the side when in form, however, despite their struggles, a flying Matthew Thompson strike forced a parried save by Roar stand in ‘keeper Scott Higgins.

Spase Dilevski, in his return to the starting XI, was a dangerous presence on the left hand side of the park, with his precision crosses keeping the Jets on edge, while for Newcastle, the influence of gifted Midfilder Nick Carle was again restricted as he found himself stifled of space and time on the ball.

However, when given an ounce of space, Carle displayed what he is capable of, turning past two defenders in one swift move before his resulting shot was blocked by the Roar defence.

Queensland were able to maintain sustained possession of the ball, settling into an almost monotonous routine whilst the Jets again struggled to create a rhythm and create any scoring opportunities in the attacking third of the park.

Former Olyroo Jade North should have equalised on the half hour mark after a headed down ball by Milicic found North at the back post, but a desperate Queensland defence smothered the ball and cleared it to safety.

The end-to-end style of the match disguised the Roar’s dominance but the team from the Sunshine state soon were denied a penalty, as a Brosque cross appeared to be handled by Jets captain Ned Zelic, however, soon after Queensland doubled their advantage when a Dilevski freekick was spilled by Reddy allowing Jonti Richter to slide home his first goal of the season.

After the break, the Jets appeared to be a rejuvenated outfit, with a flamboyant Richard Johnson shot flying wide following a knock down by Vaughan Coveny, but it was short lived as Queensland scored a third to put the match beyond doubt.

Following a terrible back pass by Ned Zelic, speedy attacker Michael Baird pounced on the ball before dribbling to the by-line and cutting back brilliantly to Brosque who was left with the easiest of finishes.

The Jets soon dropped their heads as the Queensland side counter attacked in droves. Once in their attacking third though, the Jets seemed bereft of attacking flair and in a sign of their struggle, club leading scorer Milicic was dropping back deep in order to create an opening but it was to no avail.

Queensland could have added a fourth on the hour mark following a quick break by the diminutive midfielder Murdocca, but Reddy was up to the task as Brosque received the ball and shot at the Jets ‘keeper.

As Newcastle wilted Carle rose to prominence in the latter stages drawing the attention of the Roar defence and being on the wrong side of a few ugly tackles.

The closest Newcastle came to gaining a consolation goal came from makeshift left back Alan Picken, whose shot was saved in a quiet night for the Roar custodian.

Newcastle were playing without passion, as Roar midfield dynamo Murdocca continued to run at the defence in a superb performance before providing an assist for the fourth goal of the night as his lay-off allowed Matt McKay to power home from outside the area.

The rout ended in injury time as Murdocca sealed the victory with a goal of his own after another assist by super-sub Baird.

Queensland’s sensational performance revived their finals aspirations with a final round blockbuster set to decide the final playoff place whilst putting to rest uncertainty over the future of a defiant Miron Blieberg.

Following the result, Newcastle is now in a fight to remain in second place that will go down to the wire as the A-League premiership season concludes.

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