Adelaide United failed to overcome Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium tonight, suffering a 3-0 defeat.
Brandon Borrello and Jamie Maclaren again shared the goals in consigning Guillermo Amor’s side to a fourth straight match without victory.
Adelaide enjoyed a trio of first-half opportunities but their toothless run in front of goal continued, with Maclaren and Borrello sealing three points late in proceedings.
GOALS
1-0 Brandon Borrello (9’) – After netting a match-winning brace against Central Coast Mariners a fortnight ago, Borrello needed fewer than 10 minutes to pick up where he left off at Suncorp Stadium. The explosive young winger this time profited from fine lead-up play between Matt McKay and Thomas Broich as he side-footed home the latter’s squared volley at the far post.
2-0 Jamie Maclaren (79’) – The former Perth Glory poacher exhibited all of his most exciting qualities in sealing all three points for his new side. Released by Matt McKay, Maclaren combined pace, tenacity and composure to shake off Tarek Elrich and sumptuously curl beyond John Hall.
3-0 Brandon Borrello (90’+3) – Matt McKay again supplied the pass to tee-up an attacking teammate, splitting a tired Reds defence. Borrello bettered his first finish with a clinical first-time effort inside Hall’s near post.
KEY MOMENT
Sergio Cirio was hardly the only Adelaide attacker failing to fire in front of goal, but his inability to level matters just prior to the hour proved costly.
The Spaniard did well to see off the attention of Jade North after latching on to Osama Malik’s direct ball from the back, only to be foiled by Jamie Young in a decisive one-on-one.
HIGHLIGHTS REEL
Brandon Borrello etched his name on the scoresheet for the third time in as many weeks, but the Roar forward’s early opener owed almost entirely to the class of two of his senior teammates.
The deftness of Matt McKay’s intelligent pass to Thomas Broich on the left was only further emphasised by the German’s cross-goal volley, which wrongfooted Adelaide’s retreating defenders.
THE FINAL WORD
The scoreline flattered Brisbane Roar who were forced to withstand a shaky period after the restart.
The visitors’ ultimate inability to make the most of their opportunities scuppered any hopes of securing a result. Goalscoring is a concern they simply have to solve soon, less a top six spot disappear beyond reach.
Roar, meanwhile, are revelling in rare firepower led by Borrello and Maclaren, who will aim to make a statement away to Sydney FC next week.
TEAMS
Brisbane Roar: Young (gk), Hingert, North, Bowles, Stefanutto (Brown 81’), Corona, Petratos (Lustica 72’), McKay, Borrello, Maclaren (Clut 85’), Broich
Adelaide United: Hall (gk), Marrone (Sanchez 78’), McGowan, Malik, Elrich, Isaias, Jeggo, Carrusca, Dugandzic (Djite 60’), Cirio, Goodwin
Scorers: Borrello 9’, 90+2’ Maclaren 79’
Red Cards: Nil
Yellow Cards: Isaias 13’, Maclaren 33’, Hingert 50’, Elrich 81’
Conditions: 22°C, dry
Attendance: 10,707 @ Suncorp Stadium
