Brisbane Roar have embarrassed Melbourne Victory, condemning them to a 5-0 win at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Jamie Maclaren was the star on the night, scoring a hat trick and providing an assist in the rout. Victory were dominant in the opening 15 minutes but the Roar were the first to score.
Brandon Borrello cut into the box from the flank and his square pass found Maclaren who tapped it home first time. Minutes later Brisbane doubled their advantage, again through Maclaren, on the counter. Dimitri Petratos’ stunning pass released Maclaren and the 22-year-old deftly chipped Danny Vukovic who was well off his line.
Victory’s best chance came through Gui Finkler, the Brazillian’s shot took a deflection and hit the side netting, and the 2-0 scoreline was taken into the half time break.
The restart saw Brisbane pick up right where they left off. Corey Brown added a third for the Roar; his shot taking a deflection off Besart Berisha putting it past Vukovic.
Corona then scored in the 77th minute, again catching the Victory out on the counter. Petratos’ run down the right found Maclaren whose shot was saved by Vukovic, the Spaniard then tapping in from close range.
Maclaren eventually secured his hat trick in the 87th minute off a corner, Victory’s defenders were standing still and Brisbane’s number nine had plenty of time to top off a memorable night for both the club and himself.
Jamie Maclaren is the best Australian striker in the league
Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers had many people questioning one notable omission: Jamie Maclaren. The 22-year-old has had a standout season at the Brisbane Roar and is making his case for Socceroos selection better every week.
Even though he was not selected, Maclaren went about his business as usual against the Victory, scoring a hat trick, to go along with his assist, in Brisbane’s 5-0 win. The goals were his 15th, 16th and 17th for the season, putting him above Besart Berisha in the golden boot standings, only three behind leader Bruno Fornaroli.
Jamie Maclaren (17) becomes the A-League’s 2nd top goal scorer after netting a hat-trick in @brisbaneroar's 5-0 thrashing of @gomvfc
— FOX SPORTS News (@FOXSportsNews) March 12, 2016
Besides Aaron Mooy, Maclaren is the only Australian in the top five of the golden boot and is a brilliant prospect not only for future seasons of the A-League but for the national team as well.
Victory’s midfield unbalanced?
Melbourne’s midfield has arguably been a bit off for most of this season. The long-term absence of Carl Valeri has had a huge effect on the team, especially in light of Mark Milligan’s departure in the offseason. With Leigh Broxham starting on the bench, in what is presumed to be a man management move with Asian Champions League football on Tuesday night to look forward to, Rashid Mahazi was tasked with playing the number six role.
But whether through a lack of experience or a lack doggedness in chasing the ball and making the important tackles and providing the necessary defensive cover, Victory’s midfield was lacking an anchor which settles the rest of the midfield. And they consistently got outplayed and outclassed against a brilliant Brisbane.
Brisbane’s best
While the Roar have maintained their position in the top two for majority of the season, there was a definite slump in their performances over the middle block of the campaign.
This win may just be a turning point for the Roar in getting them back to the form which had fans and pundits raving about John Aloisi and Brisbane’s title credentials.
Of course, they will have to back it up against Melbourne City in what should a great context next round.
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