Wellington Phoenix
Westpac Stadium
Sunday, 12 Feb 2012
3:00AM NZST
Brisbane Roar
Preview: Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar
Date: Sunday, February 12
Kick-off: 3pm AEDT, 5pm Local
Venue: Westpac Stadium
Head-to-head
Played 14: Wins: Brisbane 8, Wellington 2, Draws: 4
Previous encounter
Wellington 2, Brisbane 0, December 14, 2011
History:
Brisbane have had the better of this fixture over the years, losing just twice in 14 previous clashes, but Wellington have enjoyed a good time of it this season. After grabbing a draw in their first meeting at Suncorp Stadium, the Phoenix picked up a rare win against Ange Postecoglou’s side in December when a goal in each half from Paul Ifill and Nick Ward handed the Kiwi’s a well-deserved 2-0 win.
Form:
Past five matches:
Wellington: LWWWW
Brisbane: DWDLW
Wellington have emerged as a real dark horse for the title in the last month, winning five of their last six matches. Not only are they proving hard to beat at the Cake Tin but Ricki Herbert’s side are starting to win matches on the road which makes them a very dangerous proposition. Continue to be very hard to break down and with key players Ifill, Dani Sanchez and Tim Brown in form, are finding the net regularly as well.
Brisbane’s form hasn’t been quite so impressive but showed signs in their vital away win over league leaders Central Coast last weekend they are still very much in this competition. The real question is whether that performance was a one-off or have they fully turned the corner. If it’s the latter then the Roar will be very confident of beating the Phoenix on their home latch and moving back into a vital top two spot.
Match Committee:
Both these sides have the luxury of being relatively injury free at the moment. Given Wellington’s hot form it’s hard to see Ricki Herbert making any changes to the team that got the job done in Adelaide last weekend. The Roar are again without winger Rocky Visconte, defender Matt Jurman and midfielder Mitch Nichols on Australian under-23 duty.
Danger men:
Dani Sanchez – Ifill might get most of the headlines out of New Zealand but Spaniard Sanchez is proving just as vital to the Phoenix’s chances for the title. The crafty midfielder has struck up a good partnership in the middle of the field with Kiwi international Tim Brown. Sanchez is creative, has the ability to dribble past a defender and has the eye for goal, as evidenced by his winner against the Reds last Friday night.
Thomas Broich – A-League rivals of the Brisbane Roar should be afraid, very afraid. After finally getting back on the field a couple of weeks ago after a long lay-off with injury, the German maestro looks to be back to full match fitness and right on his game. Despite being out for half the season Broich is still second in the league for assists and it should come as no surprise that Besart Berisha is back amongst the goals again with the playmaker back in the Roar midfield.
At the end of the day… The best thing about the A-League heading into the last few rounds of the season is that almost every match will have an impact on the make-up of the finals....and none more so than this fixture on Sunday. This looms as the match of the weekend due to the importance of the result for both sides, with the winner to take pole position for second spot and a double chance in the finals.
The luxury the Phoenix have had for most of the year is that being on the other side of the ditch they have very much gone about their business quietly, with not too many experts considering them for the title. Well Wellington can no longer fly under the radar with the Kiwi side the hottest team in the league and being talked about as a championship threat. That type of talk brings with it a different pressure and expectation and how Herbert gets his players to handle that will be a key for their chances.
The Roar are one side that know all about that kind of pressure which is why despite their patchy form, no one has dared to write them off. The loss of Nichols to national team duty is a blow but their key players seem to be coming back to form just at the right time. With no team having ever won the A-League grand final from outside the top two, the result of this match takes on extra significance. With so much at stake neither side will want to lose, so a draw would seem the most likely result.
Kick-off: 3pm AEDT, 5pm Local
Venue: Westpac Stadium
Head-to-head
Played 14: Wins: Brisbane 8, Wellington 2, Draws: 4
Previous encounter
Wellington 2, Brisbane 0, December 14, 2011
History:
Brisbane have had the better of this fixture over the years, losing just twice in 14 previous clashes, but Wellington have enjoyed a good time of it this season. After grabbing a draw in their first meeting at Suncorp Stadium, the Phoenix picked up a rare win against Ange Postecoglou’s side in December when a goal in each half from Paul Ifill and Nick Ward handed the Kiwi’s a well-deserved 2-0 win.
Form:
Past five matches:
Wellington: LWWWW
Brisbane: DWDLW
Wellington have emerged as a real dark horse for the title in the last month, winning five of their last six matches. Not only are they proving hard to beat at the Cake Tin but Ricki Herbert’s side are starting to win matches on the road which makes them a very dangerous proposition. Continue to be very hard to break down and with key players Ifill, Dani Sanchez and Tim Brown in form, are finding the net regularly as well.
Brisbane’s form hasn’t been quite so impressive but showed signs in their vital away win over league leaders Central Coast last weekend they are still very much in this competition. The real question is whether that performance was a one-off or have they fully turned the corner. If it’s the latter then the Roar will be very confident of beating the Phoenix on their home latch and moving back into a vital top two spot.
Match Committee:
Both these sides have the luxury of being relatively injury free at the moment. Given Wellington’s hot form it’s hard to see Ricki Herbert making any changes to the team that got the job done in Adelaide last weekend. The Roar are again without winger Rocky Visconte, defender Matt Jurman and midfielder Mitch Nichols on Australian under-23 duty.
Danger men:
Dani Sanchez – Ifill might get most of the headlines out of New Zealand but Spaniard Sanchez is proving just as vital to the Phoenix’s chances for the title. The crafty midfielder has struck up a good partnership in the middle of the field with Kiwi international Tim Brown. Sanchez is creative, has the ability to dribble past a defender and has the eye for goal, as evidenced by his winner against the Reds last Friday night.
Thomas Broich – A-League rivals of the Brisbane Roar should be afraid, very afraid. After finally getting back on the field a couple of weeks ago after a long lay-off with injury, the German maestro looks to be back to full match fitness and right on his game. Despite being out for half the season Broich is still second in the league for assists and it should come as no surprise that Besart Berisha is back amongst the goals again with the playmaker back in the Roar midfield.
At the end of the day… The best thing about the A-League heading into the last few rounds of the season is that almost every match will have an impact on the make-up of the finals....and none more so than this fixture on Sunday. This looms as the match of the weekend due to the importance of the result for both sides, with the winner to take pole position for second spot and a double chance in the finals.
The luxury the Phoenix have had for most of the year is that being on the other side of the ditch they have very much gone about their business quietly, with not too many experts considering them for the title. Well Wellington can no longer fly under the radar with the Kiwi side the hottest team in the league and being talked about as a championship threat. That type of talk brings with it a different pressure and expectation and how Herbert gets his players to handle that will be a key for their chances.
The Roar are one side that know all about that kind of pressure which is why despite their patchy form, no one has dared to write them off. The loss of Nichols to national team duty is a blow but their key players seem to be coming back to form just at the right time. With no team having ever won the A-League grand final from outside the top two, the result of this match takes on extra significance. With so much at stake neither side will want to lose, so a draw would seem the most likely result.
League Position
Top Scorers
| Goals | Pens | First | Last |
| Goals | Pens | First | Last |
Discipline
| Yellow | Red | Total |
| Yellow | Red | Total |
94:00
The referee decides he's seen enough and brings an end to the game. Brisbane were the better team today against a physical Wellington. The result sees them switch places on the ladder.
92:36
Replays showed Berisha may have played for that one, the contact not as serious as initially thought.
92:34
Jared Gillet's patience with Tim Brown has finally worn out, with the referee handing the Wellington player a yellow for his careless tackle on Besart Berisha.
88:30
Sanchez gets his head to the end of Paul Ifill's corner pass, however Theoklitos denies the home side a late goal, elevating to keep the ball out.
85:58
Franjic concedes a careless foul, legging Daniel Sanchez after being dispossessed by the substitute. The ball was right up against the sideline, but Franjic elected to tackle rather than herd.
84:50
Durante has been shown a yellow by the referee in an off-the-ball incident that appears to involve Durante delivering some choice words to the assistant referee.
84:14
Broich almost makes it three, shooting from a narrow angle inside the box. The ball gets past the keeper, only being denied by the crossbar. Wellington concede the corner out of desperation.
83:12
Durante defends in his own box well, forcing Meyer to commit the foul in his attempt to save the ball from the touch line.
79:41
BRISBANE GOAL - Mitch Nichols has scored with a cracker from outside the box! The substitute has had the desired effect, rocketing a one-timer off Franjic's back pass! Roar lead 2-0!
78:00
Ben Sigmund's day is over, making way for Pavlovic.
75:12
Berisha makes a penatrating run in to the box before laying it through to James Meyer. The ball is a bit too deep however, shutting down Meyer's angle. The shot stays wide of the near post.
74:06
Alex Smith gets his head on the end of the Wellington corner, elevating well over his opponent. He can't do enough to control the shot which heads over the crossbar.
70:50
Greenacre makes heavy contact with the legs of Adnan outside the box and is handed a caution by the referee in what is the third yellow card so far.
69:30
Durante makes a reckless challenge on Meyer, who was streaming forward in space. The referee initially pays advantage, before the offside ruling means it will come back for a free kick.
69:22
Paartalu releases an absolute bullet from outside the box with a lot of swing on it. Paston reads it well and parries it to safety.
66:58
Smith is handed a yellow card for his two-footed challenge on Sanchez. Bit of a foolish one there from Smith as the ball was almost certainly heading out of bounds in midfield.
63:48
Broich takes the game on through the midfield, moving to his right before releasing a shot that does not come back across enough and results in a goal kick.
61:10
The first change of the game is a double, with Brisbane's Fitzgerald making room for Nichols, whilst Wellington sub Bertos for Daniel
56:54
Greenacre almost squares the ledger after lobbing a shot from midfield. Theoklitos was off his line having just cleared the ball, but Greenacre gets on to the end of the pass. It goes wide.
55:12
Sanchez sprays his set shot from a 45 degree angle 5m outside the box. He got that one all wrong from the start and it doesn't trouble anyone.
51:16
Sanchez makes contact with Murdocca in a footrace down the far wing. The referee deems the contact to be illegal and it's yet another Brisbane free kick.
49:40
Shane Steffanuto is the second player in the book today for his illegal challenge on Ifill, who was streaming towards goal one-on-one.
49:40
Advantage was paid which resulted in Ifill shooting wide, but Steffanuto does not escape the caution.
49:28
Ifill snaffles a poor clearance and dispatches it straight back towards Theoklitos who gets his hands to it in time. It swung late on the keeper but he managed to keep it out.
47:26
Bronx cheers from the crowd as Wellington get on the right side of the referee's whistle. Berisha is penalised for tripping Sanchez in midfield.
45:45
Tim Brown picks up where he left off, tripping Berisha. It was an innocuous challenge and Gillet is happy to leave it at a foul.
45:00
That's it for the first half. Wellington had their chances however Brisbane took theirs and that's the difference so far. Second half around the corner.
42:34
Brown concedes his third free kick of the match with a push in the back of Broich once he had released the ball. Referee Gillet pulls him aside for some words but no card yet.
41:58
Ifill testing referee Gillet after again conceding a foul having been dispossessed in midfield.
40:43
BRISBANE GOAL - Besart Berisha gets on the end of a brilliant lofted ball from Paartalu, one-timing it past a Wellington defender and the keeper to find the back of the net. Brisbane in front!
37:58
Broich sprays his set shot from outside the box. Goal kick.
37:48
Smith drops his body in to Murdocca 10m outside the box. Smith got the ball but also got a lot of the Brisbane player. The Roar will now line up a set shot.
36:14
Adnan is the first man in to the referee's book for his illegal challenge on Paul Ifill, who was away had it not been for Adnan's shirt tug.
32:40
Tim Brown gets a backheel on Paul Ifill's cross. It finds Alex Smith in stride, but his shot is off target in what has been the best chance of the game thus far.
31:44
Adnan lines up a free kick from a long way out, closer to the half way line than the penalty area. He makes a good fist of it but it sails over the top without troubling the keeper.
31:34
Tim Brown again finding himself on the wrong side of the referees whistle for pulling down Thomas Broich in his attempt to scramble back in position.
28:02
Vince Lia mistimes his tackle on Fitzgerald and is penalised as a result. Free kick.
25:29
Wellington being penalised for their physical play, this time Tim Brown for his trip on Thomas Broich in midfield.
17:54
Berisha almost opens his account for the day with a lovely turn-and-shoot from just outside the box. The Wellington defence did enough to stifle him. His shot goes high, but not by much.
16:22
Ifill gives away another foul after being dispossessed in midfield. He trips Fitzgerald from behind in his attempt to regain possession. Fouls building up for Wellington early.
13:23
Bertos keeps one low from outside the box. The left-foot strike doesn't move away from Theoklitos enough though and he gloves it for a comfortable save.
12:11
Wellington successfully clear Brisbane's offensive push from the corner and look to rebound in to attack.
10:51
Berisha finds space in midfield before setting up Franjic in the box. Franjic can't get it past a scrambling Wellington defence and it's deflected over the top for a corner.
090+04:00
T. Brown gets yellow.
090:00
M. Pavlovic enters the game and replaces B. Sigmund.
086:00
A. Durante gets yellow.
080:00
M. Nichols has scored a goal for Brisbane Roar!
071:00
C. Greenacre gets yellow.
068:00
J. Meyer enters the game and replaces Henrique Silva.
067:00
M. Smith gets yellow.
062:00
M. Nichols enters the game and replaces N. Fitzgerald.
062:00
Daniel enters the game and replaces L. Bertos.
050:00
S. Stefanutto gets yellow.
05:46
Broich again getting some attention from Wellington, this time being pushed off the ball by Ifill.
042:00
B. Berisha has scored a goal for Brisbane Roar!
04:45
Ben Sigmund's contact with Broich is a bit heavy and he concedes a free kick.
037:00
Sayed Adnan gets yellow.
029:00
V. Lia gets yellow.
00:00
Welcome to Westpac Stadium for the 2nd versus 3rd clash of Wellington and Brisbane. Conditions are perfect, kick-off is around the corner.
| Home Team | Statistic | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Goals | 2 |
| 0 | Shots | 0 |
| 0 | Shots Off | 0 |
| 0 | Corners | 0 |
| 0 | Offside | 0 |
| 0 | Fouls | 0 |
| 4 | Yellows | 3 |
| 0 | Reds | 0 |
0%
0%
Possession
Referee: J. Gillett
| Home Team | Statistic | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Goals | 2 |
| 0 | Shots | 0 |
| 0 | Shots Off | 0 |
| 0 | Corners | 0 |
| 0 | Offside | 0 |
| 0 | Fouls | 0 |
| 4 | Yellows | 3 |
| 0 | Reds | 0 |
0%
0%
Possession
Referee: J. Gillett
Roar end Nix charge
Brisbane Roar have ended Wellington Phoenix's winning run with a crucial 2-0 victory at Westpac Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The win sees the defending champions reclaim second spot from the Phoenix with six games of the season to go.
Besart Berisha broke the deadlock with a quality finish just before half-time and substitute Mitch Nichols sealed the valuable three points with a fierce strike with just over 10 minutes remaining.
The Phoenix's woes were also compounded by injury to centre-back Ben Sigmund, who limped off, and a fifth booking of the season each for defensive partner Andrew Durante and Tim Brown who will be suspended for next weekend's game against league leaders Central Coast Mariners.
After a moment's silence for Lloyd Morrison, a member of the Welnix consortium, who died during the week, Wellington were content just to sit back and soak up the pressure in the first half, hoping to catch Brisbane on the break.
But while they had a couple of opportunities they didn't have the polish to finish.
Leo Bertos butchered a golden chance in the 13th minute when he collected a ball from Paul Ifill then ran strongly into the box.
But with just Michael Theoklitos to beat he struck a weak shot which the goalkeeper comfortably gathered.
The home side's only other chance of the half came in the 32nd minute when Ifill again provided the ball into the box, Tim Brown back-heeled it to Alex Smith who rushed his shot and volleyed well wide and high.
Brisbane looked far more settled on the ball and created a couple of openings with their fluid passing game.
Ivan Franjic had an early shot deflected for a corner then Berisha got clear of the Phoenix defence but his shot on the turn flew over.
The controversial Roar striker, however, earned the vital breakthrough four minutes before the break. In a rare moment, Erik Paartalu opted for the long ball and Berisha lost his marker, Phoenix captain Durante, before firing the ball home first time.
The Phoenix changed tack in the second half, putting far more pressure on the Roar and as a result won far more of the ball. They also made better use of it, finally stringing their passes together.
Ifill forced a superb save from Theoklitos four minutes after the re-start when he broke from halfway and under pressure from Shane Stefanutto, got his shot away.
Another smart piece of interplay between Lia and Ifill earned the Phoenix a free-kick right on the edge of the 18 yard box in the 55th minute when Matt Smith brought Ifill down. But Dani Sanchez fired his attempt over.
Brisbane started to live dangerously by passing the ball in and around their own box. A poor clearance by Theoklitos fell to Chris Greenacre whose speculative long-range chip was only just off-target.
Ifill then shot wide from a corner attempt before Lia's header picked out the Roar keeper after a good cross in from Tony Lochhead.
Frustrations began to boil over with Matt Smith and Greenacre shown yellow cards after earlier bookings for Stefanutto, Lia and Mohamed Adnan.
The Phoenix then saw Sigmund limp off with a leg injury and with striker Mirjan Pavlovic brought on as his replacement the back three of Lochhead, Durante and Lia were exposed and Nichols was left with acres of space and time to rifle his shot home from the edge of the box.
The drama was not over for the Phoenix though and the match ended on a sour note with Durante and Brown both shown yellow cards.
The win sees the defending champions reclaim second spot from the Phoenix with six games of the season to go.
Besart Berisha broke the deadlock with a quality finish just before half-time and substitute Mitch Nichols sealed the valuable three points with a fierce strike with just over 10 minutes remaining.
The Phoenix's woes were also compounded by injury to centre-back Ben Sigmund, who limped off, and a fifth booking of the season each for defensive partner Andrew Durante and Tim Brown who will be suspended for next weekend's game against league leaders Central Coast Mariners.
After a moment's silence for Lloyd Morrison, a member of the Welnix consortium, who died during the week, Wellington were content just to sit back and soak up the pressure in the first half, hoping to catch Brisbane on the break.
But while they had a couple of opportunities they didn't have the polish to finish.
Leo Bertos butchered a golden chance in the 13th minute when he collected a ball from Paul Ifill then ran strongly into the box.
But with just Michael Theoklitos to beat he struck a weak shot which the goalkeeper comfortably gathered.
The home side's only other chance of the half came in the 32nd minute when Ifill again provided the ball into the box, Tim Brown back-heeled it to Alex Smith who rushed his shot and volleyed well wide and high.
Brisbane looked far more settled on the ball and created a couple of openings with their fluid passing game.
Ivan Franjic had an early shot deflected for a corner then Berisha got clear of the Phoenix defence but his shot on the turn flew over.
The controversial Roar striker, however, earned the vital breakthrough four minutes before the break. In a rare moment, Erik Paartalu opted for the long ball and Berisha lost his marker, Phoenix captain Durante, before firing the ball home first time.
The Phoenix changed tack in the second half, putting far more pressure on the Roar and as a result won far more of the ball. They also made better use of it, finally stringing their passes together.
Ifill forced a superb save from Theoklitos four minutes after the re-start when he broke from halfway and under pressure from Shane Stefanutto, got his shot away.
Another smart piece of interplay between Lia and Ifill earned the Phoenix a free-kick right on the edge of the 18 yard box in the 55th minute when Matt Smith brought Ifill down. But Dani Sanchez fired his attempt over.
Brisbane started to live dangerously by passing the ball in and around their own box. A poor clearance by Theoklitos fell to Chris Greenacre whose speculative long-range chip was only just off-target.
Ifill then shot wide from a corner attempt before Lia's header picked out the Roar keeper after a good cross in from Tony Lochhead.
Frustrations began to boil over with Matt Smith and Greenacre shown yellow cards after earlier bookings for Stefanutto, Lia and Mohamed Adnan.
The Phoenix then saw Sigmund limp off with a leg injury and with striker Mirjan Pavlovic brought on as his replacement the back three of Lochhead, Durante and Lia were exposed and Nichols was left with acres of space and time to rifle his shot home from the edge of the box.
The drama was not over for the Phoenix though and the match ended on a sour note with Durante and Brown both shown yellow cards.
| Home Team | Statistic | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Goals | 2 |
| 0 | Shots | 0 |
| 0 | Shots Off | 0 |
| 0 | Corners | 0 |
| 0 | Offside | 0 |
| 0 | Fouls | 0 |
| 4 | Yellows | 3 |
| 0 | Reds | 0 |
0%
0%
Possession
Referee: J. Gillett
94:00
The referee decides he's seen enough and brings an end to the game. Brisbane were the better team today against a physical Wellington. The result sees them switch places on the ladder.
92:36
Replays showed Berisha may have played for that one, the contact not as serious as initially thought.
92:34
Jared Gillet's patience with Tim Brown has finally worn out, with the referee handing the Wellington player a yellow for his careless tackle on Besart Berisha.
88:30
Sanchez gets his head to the end of Paul Ifill's corner pass, however Theoklitos denies the home side a late goal, elevating to keep the ball out.
85:58
Franjic concedes a careless foul, legging Daniel Sanchez after being dispossessed by the substitute. The ball was right up against the sideline, but Franjic elected to tackle rather than herd.
84:50
Durante has been shown a yellow by the referee in an off-the-ball incident that appears to involve Durante delivering some choice words to the assistant referee.
84:14
Broich almost makes it three, shooting from a narrow angle inside the box. The ball gets past the keeper, only being denied by the crossbar. Wellington concede the corner out of desperation.
83:12
Durante defends in his own box well, forcing Meyer to commit the foul in his attempt to save the ball from the touch line.
79:41
BRISBANE GOAL - Mitch Nichols has scored with a cracker from outside the box! The substitute has had the desired effect, rocketing a one-timer off Franjic's back pass! Roar lead 2-0!
78:00
Ben Sigmund's day is over, making way for Pavlovic.
75:12
Berisha makes a penatrating run in to the box before laying it through to James Meyer. The ball is a bit too deep however, shutting down Meyer's angle. The shot stays wide of the near post.
74:06
Alex Smith gets his head on the end of the Wellington corner, elevating well over his opponent. He can't do enough to control the shot which heads over the crossbar.
70:50
Greenacre makes heavy contact with the legs of Adnan outside the box and is handed a caution by the referee in what is the third yellow card so far.
69:30
Durante makes a reckless challenge on Meyer, who was streaming forward in space. The referee initially pays advantage, before the offside ruling means it will come back for a free kick.
69:22
Paartalu releases an absolute bullet from outside the box with a lot of swing on it. Paston reads it well and parries it to safety.
66:58
Smith is handed a yellow card for his two-footed challenge on Sanchez. Bit of a foolish one there from Smith as the ball was almost certainly heading out of bounds in midfield.
63:48
Broich takes the game on through the midfield, moving to his right before releasing a shot that does not come back across enough and results in a goal kick.
61:10
The first change of the game is a double, with Brisbane's Fitzgerald making room for Nichols, whilst Wellington sub Bertos for Daniel
56:54
Greenacre almost squares the ledger after lobbing a shot from midfield. Theoklitos was off his line having just cleared the ball, but Greenacre gets on to the end of the pass. It goes wide.
55:12
Sanchez sprays his set shot from a 45 degree angle 5m outside the box. He got that one all wrong from the start and it doesn't trouble anyone.
51:16
Sanchez makes contact with Murdocca in a footrace down the far wing. The referee deems the contact to be illegal and it's yet another Brisbane free kick.
49:40
Shane Steffanuto is the second player in the book today for his illegal challenge on Ifill, who was streaming towards goal one-on-one.
49:40
Advantage was paid which resulted in Ifill shooting wide, but Steffanuto does not escape the caution.
49:28
Ifill snaffles a poor clearance and dispatches it straight back towards Theoklitos who gets his hands to it in time. It swung late on the keeper but he managed to keep it out.
47:26
Bronx cheers from the crowd as Wellington get on the right side of the referee's whistle. Berisha is penalised for tripping Sanchez in midfield.
45:45
Tim Brown picks up where he left off, tripping Berisha. It was an innocuous challenge and Gillet is happy to leave it at a foul.
45:00
That's it for the first half. Wellington had their chances however Brisbane took theirs and that's the difference so far. Second half around the corner.
42:34
Brown concedes his third free kick of the match with a push in the back of Broich once he had released the ball. Referee Gillet pulls him aside for some words but no card yet.
41:58
Ifill testing referee Gillet after again conceding a foul having been dispossessed in midfield.
40:43
BRISBANE GOAL - Besart Berisha gets on the end of a brilliant lofted ball from Paartalu, one-timing it past a Wellington defender and the keeper to find the back of the net. Brisbane in front!
37:58
Broich sprays his set shot from outside the box. Goal kick.
37:48
Smith drops his body in to Murdocca 10m outside the box. Smith got the ball but also got a lot of the Brisbane player. The Roar will now line up a set shot.
36:14
Adnan is the first man in to the referee's book for his illegal challenge on Paul Ifill, who was away had it not been for Adnan's shirt tug.
32:40
Tim Brown gets a backheel on Paul Ifill's cross. It finds Alex Smith in stride, but his shot is off target in what has been the best chance of the game thus far.
31:44
Adnan lines up a free kick from a long way out, closer to the half way line than the penalty area. He makes a good fist of it but it sails over the top without troubling the keeper.
31:34
Tim Brown again finding himself on the wrong side of the referees whistle for pulling down Thomas Broich in his attempt to scramble back in position.
28:02
Vince Lia mistimes his tackle on Fitzgerald and is penalised as a result. Free kick.
25:29
Wellington being penalised for their physical play, this time Tim Brown for his trip on Thomas Broich in midfield.
17:54
Berisha almost opens his account for the day with a lovely turn-and-shoot from just outside the box. The Wellington defence did enough to stifle him. His shot goes high, but not by much.
16:22
Ifill gives away another foul after being dispossessed in midfield. He trips Fitzgerald from behind in his attempt to regain possession. Fouls building up for Wellington early.
13:23
Bertos keeps one low from outside the box. The left-foot strike doesn't move away from Theoklitos enough though and he gloves it for a comfortable save.
12:11
Wellington successfully clear Brisbane's offensive push from the corner and look to rebound in to attack.
10:51
Berisha finds space in midfield before setting up Franjic in the box. Franjic can't get it past a scrambling Wellington defence and it's deflected over the top for a corner.
090+04:00
T. Brown gets yellow.
090:00
M. Pavlovic enters the game and replaces B. Sigmund.
086:00
A. Durante gets yellow.
080:00
M. Nichols has scored a goal for Brisbane Roar!
071:00
C. Greenacre gets yellow.
068:00
J. Meyer enters the game and replaces Henrique Silva.
067:00
M. Smith gets yellow.
062:00
M. Nichols enters the game and replaces N. Fitzgerald.
062:00
Daniel enters the game and replaces L. Bertos.
050:00
S. Stefanutto gets yellow.
05:46
Broich again getting some attention from Wellington, this time being pushed off the ball by Ifill.
042:00
B. Berisha has scored a goal for Brisbane Roar!
04:45
Ben Sigmund's contact with Broich is a bit heavy and he concedes a free kick.
037:00
Sayed Adnan gets yellow.
029:00
V. Lia gets yellow.
00:00
Welcome to Westpac Stadium for the 2nd versus 3rd clash of Wellington and Brisbane. Conditions are perfect, kick-off is around the corner.
| Home Team | Statistic | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Goals | 2 |
| 0 | Shots | 0 |
| 0 | Shots Off | 0 |
| 0 | Corners | 0 |
| 0 | Offside | 0 |
| 0 | Fouls | 0 |
| 4 | Yellows | 3 |
| 0 | Reds | 0 |
0%
0%
Possession
Referee: J. Gillett
 | Fantasy Sports Sportal gives you the chance to play selector and coach. Pick your Dream Team and take on your friends in Rugby, League, Cricket and Football. | |
 | Have Your Say There's a big community of fellow sports fans in the Sportal Forums. Sign up and share your thoughts and opinions. | |
| Pl | F | A | Pts | ||
| Central Coast Mariners | 27 | 40 | 24 | 51 | |
| Brisbane Roar | 27 | 50 | 28 | 49 | |
| Perth Glory | 27 | 40 | 35 | 43 | |
| Wellington Phoenix | 27 | 34 | 32 | 40 | |
| Sydney | 27 | 37 | 42 | 38 | |
| Melbourne Heart | 27 | 35 | 34 | 37 | |
| Newcastle Jets | 27 | 38 | 41 | 35 | |
| Melbourne Victory | 27 | 35 | 43 | 29 | |
| Adelaide United | 27 | 26 | 44 | 25 | |
| Gold Coast United | 27 | 30 | 42 | 21 |