Roar deal as Brisbane fails to take its chance

VETERAN Brisbane striker Massimo Maccarone missed a late penalty as Melbourne City held on for a 2-1 comeback win over the Roar at Suncorp Stadium last night.

Trailing 1-0 after Maccarone had given Brisbane a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute, City fought back with goals from Marcin Budzinski and Stefan Mauk to again move within four points of second-placed Newcastle Jets, and prove there is life after departed goalmachine Ross McCormack.

Aiming for a third successive A-League win, the Roar suffered its 10th defeat of the campaign to lose its spot in the top six.

Maccarone had a chance to at least earn Brisbane a point after teammate Fahid Ben Khalfallah was brought down in the penalty area by City skipper Michael Jakobsen.

However, the 38-year-old former Italian international’s weak 78th-minute penalty was well saved by City goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis.

It was part of a man-of-the match performance from Bouzanis, who time and again foiled the frustrated hosts.

City’s next challenge is competition leader Sydney FC at AAMI Park Saturday night.

Earlier, the Roar went ahead in 14th minute through Maccarone. The veteran Italian striker was first to a wellplaced Eric Bautheac free kick, heading home past City keeper Bouzanis to score his ninth goal in all competitions this season.

But the Roar’s joy was short-lived, with City equalising five minutes later through its Polish import Marcin Budzinski.

The goal was set up by teenage prodigy Daniel Arzani, who threaded a sublime Brisbane’s defence to find Budzinski, who did the rest.

Arzani should have put the visitors in front a minute later, but with only Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young to beat, dragged his shot wide.

City had another golden chance to go ahead minutes later through former Roar midfielder Dario Vidosic but his header was cleared off the line by Maccarone.