Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Steven Gibson Photography/Brisbane Roar FC

Brisbane Roar Youth overcame a second-half send-off to defeat Brisbane City 2-1 at Perry Park on Sunday afternoon.

Sam Sibatuara struck the winning goal for Young Roar midway through the second half soon after the dismissal of teammate Logan Grillo for a second bookable offence.

The side’s were locked at a goal apiece at half-time after Connor O’Neill’s 17^th minute opener was cancelled out shortly after by City striker Antonio Murray.

The win extends Young Roar’s unbeaten run in PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland to seven matches, while consigning City to a second straight loss after they fell to Brisbane Strikers at the same venue in the previous round.

City went into the match with a debutant in goal as Linus Schibler replaced suspended first-choice shot-stopper Matt Stein.

However, Schibler was outfoxed by O’Neill’s crafty lobbed finish from the edge of the box just after quarter hour.

City replied immediately as Koh Satake and Murray continued their blossoming attacking partnership - Satake playing in Murray at close range for his eighth goal of the 2015 campaign.

Austin Ludwik sought to restore Young Roar’s advantage before the break, however his long-range attempt went just over the crossbar.

Ludwik found the target only minutes after the restart from close range only for Schibler to deliver a sharp reflex save.

The momentum seemingly swung City’s way just after the hour following Grillo’s dismissal, however Young Roar proved resilient in the face of the setback with Shelford Dais proving dangerous in the attacking third.

Murray spurned the chance to put City ahead for the first time when he shot wide of the target after being picked out by Luca Jannese in the 71st minute.

Young Roar then took advantage only two minutes later through Sibatuara, who earned possession from Schibler’s misjudged clearance before combining with Dais to finish at close range for his third goal of the season.

City created several chances to salvage a point in the later stages, however ultimately proved unable to take advantage of their numerical advantage.

Speaking post-match, Young Roar coach John Sime said his side’s response to Grillo’s sending off had been exemplary.

“It’s not easy going a man down, especially against a side like Brisbane City, and at the end of the day I think we deserved what we achieved,” he said.

City coach Darron Heseldon suggested his side atleast deserved to salvage a point from the match.

“Today I thought on the balance of chances it could’ve been a draw and had it not been for a little mistake at the back it would’ve been probably,” he said.

Brisbane Roar FC Youth  2 (Connor O’NEILL 17’, Sam SIBATUARA 73’)
Brisbane City FC  1 (Antonio MURRAY 21’)