Over 2000 fans packed Perry Park on Wednesday night as Brisbane Strikers were humbled 11-0 by a clinical Brisbane Roar as the A-League club continued their preseason preparations against NPL Queensland opposition.

The hefty scoreline reflected a professional performance from the two time A-League champions against a Strikers side caught out by the Roar’s renowned high pressing game.

Adding to the unflattering scoreline was a fifth minute injury to starting striker Josh McVey that appears likely to rule out the 21 year old for the rest of the NPL season.

The visitors took the lead inside the opening two minutes when Berisha pounced on a turnover from Chay Hews in the Strikers defensive third – Dimitri Petratos converting from the ensuing counter attack.

Two goals followed from goalkeeping errors by Strikers gloveman David Chambers – an unfortunate own goal followed by a turnover to Berisha allowing the striker to finish into an empty net.

Liam Miller, Jack Hingert and a second goal to Petratos established a 6-0 half time lead to the visitors. Thomas Broich netted a second half brace before Berisha added his second and Patrick Theodore took the score into double figures.

Brisbane City star Antonio Murray, who continues his trial with the A-League club, scored the final goal with an 86^th minute penalty.

Strikers best chance of the evening came on 15 minutes when former Roar player Jonti Richter forced a full-stretched save from Matt Acton with a swerving 20 yard strike.

Speaking post match, Strikers coach David Large didn’t gloss over the difference in class between the two sides.

“To be really honest, what it exposed for me was the fact that the game is much, much quicker for (the Roar). They’re preparing for an A-League season and we’ve copped them at the tail end of their local football games”, Large said.

“It’s never easy when they’re at that stage of their preparations and you’d certainly expect them to run over the top of us at the level they play.”

“I think the other thing that was really highlighted for me in was that we need to accept that we’ve come back to earth and, if there’s players that really think that they’re good enough to play at that level, then I think tonight has shown that maybe they’re not ready to do that.”

“When you’re playing top quality teams that have got a good touch and are much quicker, you’ve got to be disciplined in how you hold your shape and how you try and get yourself into areas where you can defend properly,” Large explained.

“We didn’t really do that well tonight and I felt that was exposed something shocking”.

McVey’s knee injury is the second time this season Strikers goalscoring ranks have been dealt a blow – 2012 QSL golden boot Matt Thurtell suffering a similar injury against Western Pride in May that subsequently required a full reconstruction.

The score line against Roar also belied Strikers recent form in the NPL, where they have surged in to the finals placings with a string of impressive recent performances.

Strikers will look to bounce back and extend their five match NPL winning streak against fellow finals contenders Sunshine Coast Fire this Sunday at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Kick-off is scheduled for 2pm.

 

 

Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)
Image: Tony Dadsen