A-League – What We Learned – Brisbane Roar 2 Newcastle Jets 2

A-League – What We Learned – Brisbane Roar 2 Newcastle Jets 2

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The Brisbane Roar missed countless chances as they finished with a share of the spoils against a gallant Newcastle Jets side in a pulsating 2-2 draw at Suncorp Stadium.

A crazy first 20 minutes in this match featured a missed penalty and a smashed home rebound from Jamie MacLaren and a crazy Corey Brown handball that led to a Jets penalty from Milos Trifunovic.

Sandwiched between was a Mitch Cooper header that was the young midfielder’s first A-League goal in almost three years, since a 3-3 draw between the now defunct Gold Coast United and the Central Coast Mariners.

Midway through the second half, former Jets A-League title-winning skipper Jade North came back to haunt his former employers with a deflected effort off Enver Alivodic that gave Mark Birighitti no chance.

On another night, the Roar would have scored again for the match-winner, but it was not to be on this occasion in what could be a costly draw in their quest to claim yet another premier’s plate.

New Penalty taker may be needed for the Roar

After Nick Cowburn was adjudged to have fouled Brandon Borrello in the fifth minute of the contest, Maclaren was the man who stepped up to the spot for the home side. One would think that a player who has scored so many goals this season would step up and bury the opportunity. It was not the case as he scuffed his effort and it was comfortably saved by the Jets goalkeeper Birighitti.

Luckily for Maclaren, the ball fell straight to him and he scored from the rebound, but the penalty lacked conviction. The last thing the Roar would need in a massive end of season final is an equally weak effort from the spot. They may not be so lucky and it could cost their entire season. Henrique normally steps up to the spot for the Roar but as he continues to be used in a super-sub role, another player may need to step up in future. It would not surprise to see a Thomas Broich or a Corona step up next time for the men in orange.

READ MORE: A-League – Player Ratings – Brisbane Roar 2 Newcastle Jets 2

READ MORE: How Twitter reacted to Brisbane Roar’s entertaining draw with the Jets

‘Brown Snap’ from young Roar left-back

One has to wonder what on earth Brown was thinking. Shortly after the Jets had equalised through Cooper, Leonardo made a break down the right and whipped in a cross toward the penalty spot. The young Roar man decided he would thrust out his left arm while diving at full stretch and the ball was only ever going to end up striking his arm. It was one of the easiest decisions Kris Griffiths-Jones will ever have to give and Jets target man Milos Trifunovic made no mistake from the spot, slotting past Michael Theo in the Roar goal.

It seemed especially daft from the young man considering his own side had taken the lead through the earlier Maclaren effort. Any avid football fan would have lost count of the times a referee had given a ‘square up’ penalty after giving one to the opponent earlier in the match. It was simply a very stupid thing to do and one can only hope the young Roar left back learns from it.

Miller needs to let the Jets off the leash occasionally

The second half of this one was a complete avalanche from the Roar until they scored their equaliser. After this happened the Jets opened up and actually looked a real threat going forward, including a sequence where Mateo Poljak and Steven Lustica struck the woodwork in as many minutes. There can be no doubting that it is far more risky for the Jets to open up and they may be susceptible to being hit on the break themselves, but if they are to keep their finals dream alive, they simply have to score more goals.

With the additions in January, especially the former Danish international Morten Nordstrand, Miller now has the players that can initiate a more positive, proactive game plan. It will all come down to whether he has the confidence and belief in his players to allow them to show more attacking intent. It cannot be argued that on another night the Roar could have scored plenty more, but at times the Jets looked just as likely in what was an entertaining end to the match.

Outside90 Player of the Year votes

3 – Mark Birighitti

2 – Matt McKay

1 – Thomas Broich

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