Youth and a Frank Farina-style 4-3-3 were the not-so-secret weapons unveiled by the Queensland Roar in its 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix at Lang Park tonight.
A goal each to young guns Michael Zullo and Robbie Kruse in the first half gave the Roar a deserved first home win for the season. Wellington grabbed an injury-time consolation goal, but the result always seemed certain from the third minute on.
The moment in the third minute which set the game on its path, and set the stadium alight, was a rocket of a goal from the left boot of Michael Zullo. Phoenix half cleared a cross from the right side, and the ball fell to Zullo, positioned centre field just outside the penalty box. His left foot volley into the top corner of Glen Moss's goal reminded this writer in both style and technical excellence of a goal scored by Eric Cantona to win the FA Cup for Manchester United in the mid-90s.
Yes, it was that good.
Certainly the best maiden goal by a Roar player in the history of the A-League.
Immediately, Frank Farina was a genius coach, the Roar faithful in the stands were singing, and life was good at Lang Park.
Farina often used this very 4-3-3 formation when coach of the Socceroos, with just one central striker (in this case the whole-hearted Reinaldo da Costa). The two wingers play as out-and-out attackers, and the midfield plays quite narrow, but has to cover forward and back.
This formation suits a team that doesn't mind a battle for the football, and the Roar fit that model. Any long pass forward is always going to be a contest for possession, and with Kruse and Zullo having the upper hand over their opposing fullbacks, Wellington were in for a tough night.
Danny Tiatto and Kruse both fashioned good shooting chances for themselves, in the 19th and 37th minutes, but missed the target narrowly. Just on the stroke of half-time, Queensland went two goals up, and sealed the win.
A long clearance from Liam Reddy came to a contest between Reinaldo and Steven O'Dor. Reinaldo won the ball and fed it wide left to Zullo. Zullo's instant cross was swung perfectly into the danger area, just too far out for the keeper to intercept, and just right onto the head of Robbie Kruse. Happy 19th birthday, young man.
The second half was similar to the first except that Queensland didn't make the most of their chances to go further ahead. After 49 minutes, a Roar counter-attack saw Reinaldo tee the ball up for Marcinho to shoot from about 15 metres out. Moss made a fine reflex save.
In the 57th minute Reinaldo should have had the reward for all his hard work, when Zullo absolutely shredded right fullback Jeremy Christie, drew the keeper and cut back a low cross for his centre forward. With the goal gaping, Reinaldo only had to make clean contact with his left foot to score. His scuffed attempt dribbled past the left upright for a goal kick.
Neither Kruse nor Zullo made it to the end of the match. Kruse was replaced in the 55th minute after taking a knock on his hip, and Zullo came down with cramp in the 70th minute.
But their efforts were enough for the win, in combination with McKay and Tiatto's energetic work in midfield. Despite plenty of possession, Wellington Phoenix were unable to break down the Queensland Roar defence. The veteran midfielders Richard Johnson and Ross Aloisi could not find the key to the safe, and their last pass always seemed to go astray.
Liam Reddy would have been the most annoyed man on the field in the 93rd minute of the game, when the Roar failed to clear from a corner, and Shane Smeltz poked home a goal to spoil a clean sheet.
But there was barely time for a restart before fulltime was blown, and the smallish crowd of 12,458 had cause to celebrate.
Frank Farina should immediately sit down with both these kids and tell them to keep their feet on the ground and not to listen to any smart-alec agents who want to dazzle them with stories about the amount of money they could be earning in Europe.