Nikola Mileusnic continues to fire for the Brisbane Roar. (Image: Brisbane Roar/Twitter)
Brisbane Roar’s Nikola Mileusnic early strike would set the tone for his side’s victory against Macarthur, with the Roar taking out a comfortable 3-1 victory.
The 28-year-old winger is beginning to turn Brisbane’s fortunes around after its slow start to the season, scoring his fifth goal of the season. Having a hot run of form as of late, he has now scored four goals in as many outings.
Having been a dangerous threat in attack for the Roar in the past month, Mileusnic would waste little time asserting himself on the game against Macarthur, finding the back of the net inside the opening two minutes of the game.
Having been set up perfectly by Jay O’Shea, Mileusnic found himself perfectly positioned in the centre of the box to dribble past Bulls keeper Filip Kurto and shoot into an empty net. Taking just 62 seconds to break the deadlock, it was the quickest goal of the season thus far.
It would prove to be an important moment of the game, coming as a confidence booster for the young Roar side who comfortably saw off a Macarthur outfit that has struggled for consistency this season.
The Roar have now won three of their past five games to put them just four points outside of the top six, while Macarthur have now gone their past five games without a win.
Though neither side were able to dominate in possession with the Roar registering just one more pass for the game than Macarthur, the Queenslanders look more threatening in front of goal.
Having unlocked the Bulls defence with regularity throughout the game, Brisbane would register five more shots for the game, having 11 shots to Macarthur’s six. Though the Roar were wasteful in front of goal once again, which has been a familiar story for the young Brisbane side all season.
Out of their 11 shots for the game, only five would be on target, with the home side particularly wasteful in the opening half. Argentine Juan Lescano was the main offender, getting himself into dangerous positions but would miss several key chances.
With Macarthur holding on and lucky to be just one goal down, the Roar wouldn’t seal the game until after the hour mark with both Corey Brown and Henry Hore scoring in the 60th and 78th minute respectively.
Macarthur would score in between Brisbane’s second and third goal, defender Adrian Mariappa header finding the back of the net in the 74th minute. Pegging the margin back to a single goal, it would give the Bulls life for only a couple of minutes before the aforementioned Hore scored Brisbane’s third goal of the game.
Despite the concerning inaccurate shooting trend, Brisbane Roar coach postgame wasn’t deterred, saying he was pleased about the amount of opportunities on goal his side have been getting in recent week.
“[I’m] happy with the performance and getting three points obviously, its all I’m going to say when we’re performing, and we have done in the last couple weeks, and to get over the line and get three points was big for us,” Moon said.
“The goals are coming and chances are being created and that’s the big one [thing] for me, I’m really confident with the side we’ve got we’re going to create chances.
“Another three [goals] tonight…as long we’re creating I’m comfortable where we’re at.”
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Having made his fifth start of the season, 22-year-old Henry Hore played his best game of the season in his first season of A-League Men’s football.
Having been a threat out wide on the right side of the pitch throughout the night, Hore would be rewarded with a goal which sealed the win for his side, and was influential in his side’s attacking movement.
Amongst the best players for the Roar, postgame Hore said though his goal was scrappy he was happy to get on the scoresheet, further commenting how important the win was with a hectic fixture coming up for the side.
“It was a good win, credit to the boys and to top it off with that goal [I] couldn’t be happier,” Hore said.
“It was massive to get this win, we’ve got a busy schedule now, so hopefully we keep climbing…our focus in on Wednesday now.”
Another feel good story coming out of the game, Brisbane defender Jack Hingert was victorious in game 200 of his A-League Men’s career.
Putting in a modest performance the defender was solid in defence before being subbed out of the game in the 61st minute, having been involved in setting up Brown’s goal moments earlier.
Starting to gain some momentum, the Brisbane Roar’s next trip will be to Sydney where they’ll face the Wellington Phoenix at Leichhardt Oval on Wednesday evening.
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