Heart v Roar

A-League report by Daniel Quinn
Melbourne Heart v Brisbane Roar


Melbourne Heart have held a strong Brisbane Roar who had to come back from a goal behind to claim a point at AAMI Park on Saturday night. Germano took the lead on 31 minutes before Berisha equalised in the second-half. In a fair encounter Heart had the better chances but Roar did get into great positions without the final finish.

Melbourne Heart coach John van't Schip makes three changes from their midweek late defeat to Central Coast with Eli Babalj, Mate Dugandzic and Kristian Sarkies coming in for Jason Hoffman, Rutger Worm and David Williams. Ange Postecoglou made one change from their win over Sydney with Rocco Visconte making way for German star Thomas Broich.

Both sides started off with a high paced game with Brendan Hamill blocking Broich's effort before Michael Theoklitos easily saved Babalj's long effort.

On 10 minutes Broich did well with some good foot work before the ball fell for Massimo Murdocca but the small midfielder's curling effort curled wide.

Heart went straight up the other end and Alex Terra beat the offside trap before rounded Theoklitos but the Brazilian's effort crossed the face of goal.

On 24 minutes Heart had their best chance of the opening stages. Aziz Behich played a great one-two with Matt Thompson before crossing into the near post but Terra poked his effort wide.

Two minutes later Sarkies put in a brilliant corner for Babalj at the far post but the tall forward's header was hit into the ground and bounced over the net.

Half-way through the first half Behich crossed for Terra whose athletic effort was blocked by Mohamed Anan but Germano followed up with a header to take the lead for the hosts.

Brisbane looked for an equaliser immediately with Issey Nakajima-Farran but his long effort travelled wide of Clint Bolton's net.

Not long before half-time Germano handled in the box and Chris Beath awarded a penalty. But Berisha skied the penalty over the bar.

Heart went up the other end not long later but Behich scuffed the finish.

The high tempo continued with Broich causing havoc down the left. The German was found in the box by Stefanutto but he too skied his effort.

Only a couple minutes later Broich shot powerfully but Bolton parried. Murdocca then shot the follow up effort wide.

Just before half-time Adnan shot with his left-foot but Bolton got down quickly to save. A great half of Football ended off 1-0 to the Heart.

Three minutes into the second-half Ivan Franjic crossed a great low ball for Broich at the far post but the German midfielder fired over.

On 56 minutes Terra found Germano on the edge of the box and the Argentine's effort was saved well by Theoklitos before the ball hit the base of the upright.

Babalj was next to test Theoklitos but his left-footed effort was hit directly at the 'keeper.

Adnan then had another free-kick chance after last week's stunning strike but Bolton saved comfortably.

On 69 minutes Berisha scored an equaliser. Franjic crossed to Mitch Nichols whose flick-up was headed home by Berisha right on the goal line.

Three minutes later Brisbane was looking to take the lead but Nichols' effort was hit wide.

Terra almost took the lead for the hosts after Behich's low cross but Theoklitos saved.

Behich was causing problems for the Roar defence when he made a great run into the box but his shot was blocked by Adnan.

In stoppage time Heart were looking for a winner with Terra and Thompson. But Adnan blocked Terra before Matt Smith bravely blocked Thompson's powerful drive.

Heart remain winless in five games while Roar remain in second place with Heart dropping to fourth after Wellington's win over Newcastle.