Melbourne Heart, the A-League's newest side were humbled tonight by a solid Brisbane Roar outfit. The sole team of Queensland's capital attacked too often for the floundering Heart who flailed under pressure and slumped to their worst defeat in their short history.
Kosta Barbarouses opened up the scoring before Erik Paartalu doubled the advantage in the first half but things completely crumbled for the Heart when they fell 3-0 down after Reinaldo converted from the penalty spot and then Heart defender Dean Heffernan was sent off ten minutes after the break.
The Roar were able to grab a fourth in the final 15 minutes when Mitch Nichols struck past a helpless Clint Bolton, who was on form despite conceding four times, but his efforts were to no effect as the Roar recorded a strong victory.
A-League Week 8Brisbane Roar: 4 (Kosta Barbarouses 24', Erik Paartalu 38', Reinaldo (p) 48', Mitch Nichols 76') Melbourne Heart: 0
Venue: Suncorp Stadium Crowd: approx. 7,000 Referee: Chris Boyle Yellow cards:BR Reinaldo 55', Mitch Nichols 75', Shane Stefanutto 90' MH - Dean Heffernan 47', Alex Terra 80', Josip Skoko 81' Red Card:MH - Dean Heffernan 54'
Starting Line-Ups
BR Michael Theoklitos (gk), Matthew Smith, Luke DeVere (Mundy 75'), Shane Stefanutto, Erik Paartalu, Kosta Barbarouses, Massimo Murdocca (Visconte 62'), Reinaldo, Matt McKay, Thomas Broich (Nichols 56'), Milan Susak
Subs - Matt Acton (gk), Matt Mundy (75'), Rocky Visconte (62'), Mitch Nichols (56')
MH Clint Bolton (gk), Michael Marrone, Simon Colosimo (Ibrahim 51'), Matt Thompson, Rutger Worm, Gerald Sibon, Wayne Srhoj, Alex Terra, John Aloisi (Kalmar 59'), Josip Skoko, Dean Heffernan
Subs - Peter Zois (gk), Kamal Ibrahim (51'), Nick Kalmar (59'), Aziz Behich