The Brisbane Roar are desperate for some form to make a surge to the finals. They need to start winning today as they host the Wanderers of Western Sydney at a hot and steamy Suncorp Stadium.
42nd min I don't think many people expected an effort like this for Brisbane in the first half. Whether they can close it out remains to be seen but it's a step in the right direction thus far. The Wanderers haven't turned up. When they break out, it's with limited numbers and on the whole has been easily dealt with by Brisbane. Boy they'd love to sneak one against the run of play before the break. Roar lead 1-0.
38th min Haliti again in a likely sort of spot but no love. The Roar defending well and breaking out now with Nichols, then Berisha. But Polenze shepherds him off the chase and the Roar win a corner. Berisha has a shot, rebounds and the Wanderers clear. Roar lead 1-0.
32nd min The Wanderers need to finish this half with some intent. Haliti gets a good possie in the box there but the ball in floats well over his head. That's fairly lazy looking stuff from the Wanderers, who are unusually lethargic in this first half. It's reflected in the score - Brisbane lead 1-0.
28th min Bratten in good shape again but no power at all on the shot as it sails wide. Troubling times for the Wanderers, who aren't getting to their man quickly enough. They are lucky the Roar haven't got a genuine gunner who can smash a few of those home. The Wanderers are looking for a surge of energy from someone. Polenz tries his luck from 35m away. No dice. Roar lead 1-0.
23rd min Luke Bratten was the man who fed Nichols there. Nichols made a good turn and poked it past the diving Covic. That's the start Brisbane were so desperate to get. Let's see if they can maintain this sort of intensity.
20th min Murdocca launches a tame shot on goal and Covic makes a nice cup of tea by the time it arrives in his hands. Ono working on Donachie in the opposite corner but can't get past the youngster. The temp dropping just a little now so the players will enjoy the break in the heat. But now the Roar get a break on the scoreboard. GOAL to Mitch Nichols! Roar go up 1-0.
17th min Good look from Broich! The Roar pressing once more and he finds himself on the edge of the box, shuffling from the right to the left and having a ping. It went high and he probably should have forced a save from that sort of range. Then Hersi can't get a handle from an Ono ball up the other end. Entertaining stuff with no movement on the scoreboard.
12th min Broich curls in the corner for the Roar but Covic gets the spoil, as they might say in the AFL, and it's punched clear. A lot to like about the Roar's start here - playing like a side that knows it is right on the edge. Western Sydney making sure they have numbers back to defend and haven't been particularly worried just yet. Some possession through midfield will settle them. No score.
5th min No shades of grey for the Roar at home. Three wins, four losses, no draws. The Roar having the best of the early exchanges but Ono released there by Haliti. Didn't quite have the zip to get there and Theo comes out to clear for the Roar. No score as yet at Suncorp.
2nd min Bright sun over half the ground as we get started here and already some decent ball for the home side. But they look jittery in front of goal and tend to search Broich out even when he isn't required. The Roar need something inspired today as Mitch Nichols pulls the trigger from distance. Flies over the top but good intent. No score thus far.
4.02pm A few changes for the Roar, with Erik Paartalu - the former grand final hero - leaving the club to play in China. Matt Smith is out, with Matt Jurman out. Nick Fitzgerald has also been left out with Mass Murdocca starting. It's not a settled club any stretch at the moment but winning helps. WS have been rock solid and will start deserved favourites this afternoon.
3.46pm Good afternoon everybody. If you are tuning out of the cricket and have gone off the tennis since John Millman's departure, feel free to log on to this game from Brisbane as the Roar host the Wanderers. The Wanderers find themselves in the top four with eight wins this season, while Brisbane are one off the bottom. The twice-defending champs need to get motoring if they are even going to feature in the post-season.
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