Zero to Roar about
Brisbane on hunt for first A-League victory
BRISBANE and Central Coast are still searching for their maiden A-League wins after fighting out a dour 0-0 draw last night.
Both sides had their chances but frustratingly, neither was good enough to take them in the first scoreless stalemate of the new season at Suncorp Stadium.
But it wasn’t without controversy, with both sides having reasonable penalty claims turned down by referee Daniel Elder.
Massimo Maccarone appeared to have been brought down by goalkeeper Ben Kennedy in the 32nd minute as he chased down the ball but was deemed to be offside.
Replays were inconclusive and Roar coach John Aloisi was left incensed on the sidelines, fuming at how quickly the assistant referee had put his flag up for what he said was a “borderline” call.
In the second half, Avram Papadopoulos seemed to clearly infringe Jake McGing when he climbed on him to win a header in the penalty box, but play was waved on.
Meanwhile, Maccarone could face scrutiny this week after an off-the-ball collision with Asdrubal, in which he appeared to strike his the Mariners striker’s face with his forearm.
Once again, no foul was given and the video assistant referee didn’t call for one.
The result does neither the Roar nor the Mariners, who are battling to find form, any real favours.
However, it is the first clean sheet of the season for both sides, who also had four shots on target apiece.
The hosts nearly stole it with an injury-time corner kick but Jade North’s bulletlike header was blocked by Kennedy.
Maccarone was involved in the Roar’s best passages of play, with the Italian veteran getting a header on target in the ninth minute while also narrowly missing a deft chipped shot in the 20th minute of the match.