Summary
So, points shared, but you’d warrant it’s the Brisbane fans who are much the happier for that. The Wanderers dominated possession and territory – dictating the tempo of the match, but they just couldn’t fashion a dangerous final ball.
Over twenty crosses into the box, but with a centre-half duo as good as North and Devere you have to think Western Sydney needed to find a different dimension.
On the positive end of things, Martinez is starting to look the marquee player that Tony Popovic would have dreamt of when he recruited him. He was at the heart of the best sequences tonight; his combination with Clisby especially down the left was something to behold.
For the Roar, well, they’d take the point, but John Aloisi might be concerned about his side’s performance, especially in the second half. A needless penalty aside they didn’t really carve the Wanderers defence apart.
They move to equal third on the ladder, with Sydney FC six points ahead, and with a game to come. Western Sydney remain outside the six, and to the surprise of many, below the Central Coast Mariners who upset Perth last night.
Another hard week of training for those in black & red, but surely a good run of results won’t be too far away. Thanks for your company tonight.
Full-time: Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Brisbane Roar
90 + 4 min: .. but it drifts well wide. And that’s the whistle!
Another draw for the Wanderers – their fifth in just eight games, and more frustration for Popovic and his staff.
90 + 4 min: Lustica almost through on goal!
Against his old club – surely not – but Hingert recovers. Great tracking back from the right back, and we’ve got time perhaps for one last effort.
Wanderers pump into the box; it falls to Bacchus..
90 +3 min: There’s four minutes added on, and it’s Wanderers now with a late chance. Great determination from Neville sees him win a corner.
But as they have so often tonight, Roar’s centre-half pairing clear comfortably.
90 +1 min: And as we enter extra time, it’s one of the chances of the game, and it falls to Tommy Oar!
Nice work from Hingert finds the substitute, who fires an instinctive first-time shot; but it’s just wide. Ooh, so close, the Roar.
89 min: Nichols limps to the sideline and is replaced by former Roar buddy Steve Lustica. Surely not another draw for Wanderers at Spotless? That would be four on the spin; and mean the Wanderers have failed to win a ‘home’ match since they left Parramatta.
They’re like Odysseus, these kids, just seeking home comforts but if there aren’t some challenges along the way.
87 min: It’s a late corner for the Roar, and a slight deflection sees Broich cop that fair in the face. Not the sharpest effort from the German, but he had little time to react in truth.
Will we have a late winner tonight?
85 min: Aspro with a crazy bold tackle right on the line of the penalty box, as he slides in on Hingert; but nothing given.
Wanderers coaching staff might have had their hearts in their mouths then, imagine a second penalty, in the context of their dominance tonight.
83 min: Free-kick with Borda going in the book. It’s a long way out but the substitute Petratos fancies the look of it.
He lines up and his driven shot deflects off the wall and almost sneaks inside Tyson’s left-hand post, but the Wanderers’ custodian scrambles brilliantly across his goal to snuff it out.
Wouldn’t that be hard on the Wanderers, if they fell behind then!
81 min: Well it’s Martinez pulling the strings out there – Wanderers fashion another effort; it falls to Santalab past the far post and half the crowd thought that was in – but it’s rippled the outside of the netting!
The RBB and friends were mid Poznan, and many were scrambling to turn back around as the roar went up.
79 min: Nervous moments here for Messieurs Aloisi – it’s another blistering strike from distance from Martinez, and Theo does well not to spill, although the ball does bubble off his chest and between his arms.
Now he notches up another save, this time from Santalab from an acute angle; that’s ten saves for the night for the Roar custodian!
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76 min: What a chance, Wanderers!
It’s Clisby and Martinez again combining down the left – the Argentine loops in a lovely ball to pick out Santalab, but it’s at a difficult height. He attempt to toe home, but it cannons awkwardly off his shin. One in retrospect for a chest home or even diving header?
74 min: It’s Petratos on for Holman. A solid shift from the former Socceroo; but perhaps the 90 is behind him these days. He’s only seen two games out this season, but he always gives his all.
Now it’s a free-kick for the Wanderers just to the left of the penalty box. Well whipped in by Dimas, but Brisbane defend. Nichols latches on the loose ball and thunders in a worm-burner; but Theo clutches it gratefully to his chest.
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72 min: Well, that’s a stunning strike! Theo scrambles across his goal, and just tips it around the post, to deny Martinez a simply brilliant effort.
The Argentine stands up his man, digs it out from his feet, and from well outside the box curls a sumptuous effort goal-bound. No dice, says Theo.
70 min: That’s Bulut’s shift over. No hat-trick tonight; and if facts are anything to go off, you’d say he didn’t even score one. On comes Brendan ‘super-sub’ Santalab.
With it be cometh the hour (plus a bit), cometh the man?
67 min: Wanderers enjoying a tidy spell of possession here. They build nicely from the back, recycling from one side to the other; and about 25 passes later it finishes with a well-constructed effort from Martinez.
Nice from Western Sydney.
65 min: Brown returns the favour, leaving the studs in on Jumpei, but our referee for the evening, Shaun Evans, elects not to offer a free-kick.
The fact I’ve only mentioned him in the 65th minute is a promising sign after recent weeks. There’s certainly been no glaring errors in officiating, so kudos there. Touch wood.
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63 min: Now it’s Aloisi who goes to the bench – it’s Oar on for the Spanish winger Arana.
He’s looked lively in previous weeks, and is probably a bit sore about a bench position. Watch out Wanderers.
61 min: It’s Dimas in the book for a rugged challenge on Brown. The young left back emerges unhurt though; it looked initially a nasty contestation, with a touch of drizzle now making for a slick playing surface at Spotless Stadium.
58 min: Another good run from Clisby, but Theo’s alive to this cross. Should the brothers Aloisi be worried about how easily Western Sydney are finding these crossing opportunities?
They may well be consciously instructing their players to shepherd their opponents wide; and in their defence, up until just then the centre-half duo of North and Devere had dealt comfortably with balls from wide.
Goal! Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1 Brisbane Roar (Jumpei)
55 min: And they’re back level! Martinez does well to find Clisby out wide and the fullback drops in a teasing cross. No mistake from the Japanese who reacts ahead of the Roar defence for an easy tap-in. His first ever goal in the A-League, and that’s the monkey off his back.
About 20 crosses into the box for the Wanderers; finally one that sticks!
55 min: It’s Bacchus on for Pinatares. He doesn’t seem sold on the Uruguayan, does Popovic. Can the youngster offer something different?
52 min: A nice little moment for Brisbane – they catch Wanderers on the break, and for just a half-moment it looks like Arana is through!
Aspro recovers well; the Spaniard tries to jink inside, then outside, but he loses his footing and the young defender and Tyson sort it out between them.
50 min: Not to suggest my loyalties are split tonight but poor Maddinson’s copped a cracker in Adelaide and is out for a duck on his Test debut.
Australia still in a comfortable position though at 5/277.
Follow all the action there, here.
47 min: Maclaren picked out nicely by Holman with Borda slipping; it’s a half-chance, but Tyson stands tall to fend away the shot. Lovely build up by the former Premier League man.
Second half: Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Brisbane Roar
45 min: Aand we’re back underway. No changes at the break from either side, but some movement with Kearyn Bacchus being consulted on the sideline by coach Popovic.
So not a helter-skelter encounter this time round. Tony Popovic might maintain his side have had the better of it, but as per so many occasions this season (and last; and the one before; and..) they’ve really not created too many openings.
Possession’s a fine thing, but the pace of attack is at times slow, and once again it’s been pretty one-dimensional stuff from the Wanderers.
Would need to see a replay of the penalty incident – hopefully that’s not another straight-forward goalkeeping error, because, gee, haven’t they had some of those this season (and last; and..)
Easy running if you’re a Brisbane fan, Aloisi will be enjoying this, despite his side ceding so much territory and possession. For the neutral, fingers crossed this one opens up in the second half?
Half-time: Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Brisbane Roar
45 min: And just in the shadow of half-time, the Wanderers enjoy perhaps their best chance!
Devere with a rare error and Martinez does well to draw the defence and send through Nichols. It’s a decent shot, and Theo palms it across goal, but there’s no player in red & black haring through to tuck home.
And that’s the half!
44 min: Western Sydney probe down the flank, but it’s another easy interception. They have to watch out, Wanderers – when they spread wide to whip in the crosses they automatically expose themselves to a Brisbane counter-attack through the middle.
42 min: Second offside of the evening for Bulut. He’s chalked up a few of these this season, but possibly less than Robbie Kruse did against Thailand last Socceroos match.
Now he’s in the book for a late challenge on Devere. It was off the ball, on replay – really no need for that, but he drops the shoulder as the defender crossed his path, with the ball harmlessly 10m away.
39 min: Wanderers waste the free-kick – Dimas again with a disappointing non-descript delivery. He’s no Aaron Mooy, or even Luke Brattan, the Wanderers skipper.
They continue to dominate possession and territory though, Western Sydney.
37 min: First in the book, and it’s Pepper with a late challenge on Pinatares.
Spicing up the contest, if you will. Now it’s North who fouls Bulut – and the veteran is perhaps fortunate not to follow his teammate into the book, with the Wanderers striker haring through on goal.
35 min: It comes to nought, with Brown cutting out a short cross. They’ve defended well as a unit this season, Brisbane. Theo was brilliant last week against Sydney, but Brown too has been a much improved player this season.
32 min: Wanderers build down the left but it’s a slightly overhit cross from Clisby. Bulut does well to keep in play, and it almost breaks for Martinez in the box. He’s looked lively, the Argentine, but to no effect on this occasion.
Lovely work now from Jumpei as he wins his side another corner. Fast feet, great trickery.
Borda does well to get the flight of the ball, and it’s scrambled clear, almost nervously by the Brisbane defence for another corner.
29 min: Lovely ball from Arana, who almost finds Maclaren on the counter. They’ll have to be careful, the Wanderers. He’s got pace to burn, as we know, from last season’s second topscoring effort in the league.
Another corner for Western Sydney – this one marginally more dangerous, but Borda’s effort to force it goal-wards results in a goal kick.
26 min: Scott Neville seeing a lot of ball down the Wanderers’ right flank so far, and he does well to win another corner.
Dimas floats a long, far post ball, and once again Theo comes to claim. He’s fouled in the process with Borda charging through. Penny for Popovic’s thoughts? That’s three reasonably uninspiring deliveries in a row from his skipper.
23 min: Lovely play by Broich as Brisbane push forward. Lovely little one-two backheel with Brown, but the Wanderers scramble.
Neville with a throw-in about 30m out; Nichols collects and flicks through for Jumpei but it doesn’t quite stick for the Japanese flyer.
20 min: A corner won as Clisby’s cross is blocked.
It’s lofted from Dimas and Theo comes to punch clear. The ball is recycled by the Wanderers but it’s two harrowing missed opportunities in about 10 seconds!
Martinez with an instinctive first-time swipe to a bouncing ball, but he almost air-swings; it falls to Neville, who dallies, tries to skip around a player when he should just lace it – and the window shuts!
Penalty! Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Brisbane Roar (Maclaren)
17 min: No mistake! Maclaren drives low and down the guts, Tyson not close.
And against the run of play it’s the visitors in the lead! They’ve hardly featured in the opening exchanges, but such is the pace of Maclaren. Like a racing car, really.
15 min: Well, well! A poor turnover from Dimas and suddenly it’s Holman through one-on-one.
Great save from Tyson. But only moments later, he’s blotted his copybook!
Maclaren’s pace takes him through – he goes to ground under a challenge from Wanderers’ No2 ‘keeper. What can he do from the spot?!
13 min: Western Sydney with the lion’s share of territory, thus far. They’re not camped in the Brisbane half, but they’re not unfamiliar with where to find water and/or firewood.
Pinatares fires a long-ranged effort. It sails over – but not much more than a speculative effort in fairness.
10 min: Safely claimed by Theo, who catches and/or snatches off the noggin of a player in red & black.
A long ball through to Bulut and the crowd ‘oohs’ for half a second, but good recovery from Devere who snuffs out the attack.
It remains in the half and Neville fires in another dangerous cross – this time low – and it’s Kerem Bulut who almost prods it home! Not a bad half-chance there for the opinion-dividing striker.
8 min: Roar caressing it round the back. It’s hardly been breakneck in the opening moments, so perhaps a chess game will be the order of events tonight.
Nice from Nichols, he tries a one-two with Martinez and wins a corner. What can Dimas fashion?
5 min: Jumpei looks for Bulut but Brown steps in. Wanderers with the early possession, Brisbane not exactly sitting off, but not entirely pressing sharply either.
Jacob Pepper takes advantage of Kristensen’s absence with a shot from distance – but it sails harmlessly over. Also against his old club, Pepper, but in fairness he’ll always be a Jet, non?
3 min: Decent ball in from Neville at right back; Nichols rises for the header – but it’s straight at Theo. Good effort from the Wanderers.
Former Roar player of course, Nichols. Always seems to be up for it against his old club.
Kick off!
1 min: Los geht’s - and it begins! A subdued start; a few balls into touch and some leisurely throw ins. Neither side looking to burst out of the blocks thus far.
Ps I’ll start the outlandish predictions. Bulut hat-trick. Top that.
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Last minute tips? Bold predictions? Don’t be afraid to call it early – it won’t come back to haunt you if you get it wrong.
Just ask the entire media establishment on the recent US election.
Kick off not too far away, but first some team news.
Western Sydney Wanderers:
Starting XI: Tyson (GK); Neville, Aspro, Borda, Clisby; Pinatares, Dimas (c), Nichols, Jumpei, Martinez; Bulut
Bench: Redmayne (GK), Hamill, Baccus, Lustica, Santalab
Starting XI: Tyson (GK), Neville, Aspropotamitis, Borda, Clisby, Piñatares, Dimas (C), Nichols, Jumpei, Martínez, Bulut #WSW #WSWvBRI
— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) November 25, 2016
Brisbane Roar:
Starting XI: Theo (GK); Hingert, Devere, North, Brown; Pepper, McKay (c), Holman; Arana, Maclaren, Broich
Bench: Young (GK), Bowles, Oar, Konstandopoulos, Petratos
TEAM NEWS | The legendary rivalry continues as we take on @wswanderersfc at Spotless Stadium! Kick-off at 6:50pm AEST #WSWvBRI #FEELTHEROAR pic.twitter.com/cJ5BFZ4VYU
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) November 25, 2016
Wanderers will no doubt turn out in their regular 4-2-3-1, whereas it’s a likely 4-3-3 from Roar.
No changes for Tony Popovic, although Santalab returns to the bench after a wee knock. Tyson and Bulut retain their places, as does Uruguayan Pinatares who had a spell out of the team.
For John Aloisi, no Danish midfield anchor, Thomas Kristensen, he’s stayed at home for the journey south with an injury. Maclaren returns from Socceroos duty, and Spaniard Manuel Arana gets the nod ahead of Tommy Oar.
Hi all, Richard Parkin in the chair on a crisp evening here in Sydney. It’s almost Melbourne-esque, minus the thunderstorm asthma bit, that is. Terrifying stuff down south.
As always feel free to shoot me your missives, your missiles, your mis-en-scenes (I’m out) - to join the coverage: richard.parkin.casual@theguardian.com or via the Twittosphere, @rrjparkin.
How do you fancy? Or, more concretely, who do you fancy in this particular game of football?
Alternatively I’ve always fancied myself on a general advice line - send me a question; I’ll give you an answer.
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Preamble
Well, as Tina Turner once (apocryphally) said, Friday night’s a great night for A-League, and it’s a mouthwatering rematch of one of the all-time great finals showdowns. If we presume that for showdowns defenders don’t need to show up; then last season’s 5-4 come-from-behind-win for the Wanderers was an absolute cracker.
John Aloisi’s Roar don’t mind an attack, but as Perth showed last season - when they were then top of the league - you can also still put six past them. It will no doubt be a more terse, tense affair tonight, not just because it’s hard to imagine where goals will come from in Tony Popovic’s spluttering side.
You get the feeling that when Wanderers finally gel they’ll be a force to be reckoned with, but with such a big off-season turnover some of the newer faces are still yet to click. Japanese flyer Jumpei Kusukami has looked lively but hasn’t yet troubled the scorers or got too many assists behind him.
Marquee midfielder Nicholas Martinez has looked more impressive with every showing, but tonight could be the game he really endears himself to home fans. At the very least he’ll draw some attention away from Mitch Nichols who has huffed and puffed but like so many in red and black, hasn’t quite delivered; just one win in seven this season for the Wanderers.
For the Roar, they’re sitting pretty on the table, but Aloisi might worry about his own goal potency - averaging just a goal a game thus far. Jamie Maclaren is back from international duty to lead the line, and at least their defence is looking a lot tighter with the impressive Luke Devere back this season to partner Jade North.
A ‘must win’ you’d imagine for the Wanderers to get their season started; Aloisi might settle for a point, but you can bet he won’t send his side out to set up for just one.
An intriguing match up, with all to be revealed, shortly.
Richard will be here shortly. In the meantime, check out the latest on Harry Kewell’s attempt to join A-League coaching ranks. Erm, yeah.
