Fan Reaction: Brisbane Roar & Adelaide United Play to Entertaining 1-1 Draw

Posted Tuesday, March 13, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Sometimes, it's the sloppy games that are the most entertaining. Nobody who watched Brisbane Roar take on Adelaide United this past weekend could claim they were bored by the match.

Brisbane and Adelaide played to an ugly yet entertaining 1-1 draw at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. A match recap can be found here.

The first half: Was weird, in that Brisbane were the better overall side during the opening 45 minutes, but Adelaide probably should have been up 2-0 at the break. The hosts seemed to be in control of the match early on, but they then conceded an against-the-run-of-play goal 14 minutes into the contest. A counterattack started by Dario Vidosic ended with Bruce Djite sliding a ball across the penalty area for Iain Ramsay, who cooly fired home a first-touch strike over goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos and into the back of the net.

Brisbane did well to recover and resume control of the match. They were Juve-esque in the attacking third, however, squandering numerous free kicks and promising attacking sequences. Adelaide were also far from perfect, as a blown opportunity in the 36th minute changed the outcome of the match. Cameron Watson played an over the top ball that took a high bounce toward the Brisbane penalty area. Six different players failed to play the ball before the previously mentioned Vidosic, who did well to remain onside, beat the back line and made his way unobstructed into the box. With the game's second goal on his right boot, Vidosic struck an attempt that bounced well wide of the left post. He immediately covered his face with both hands, realizing that he absolutely should have done better in that scenario.

The second half: Largely resembled the first. Brisbane continued to hold possession of the ball, yet they just couldn't produce anything of quality in the final third. They thrice failed to get a touch when the ball was resting on the ground in the Adelaide penalty area, and Thomas Broich and Besart Berisha were both guilty of awful misses, attempts that should have leveled the match. Adelaide were rather polite visitors, however, as they chose to gift the Roar an equalizer in the 70th minute.

Zenon Caravella played a back-pass for teammate Daniel Mullen, who was standing on the edge of the Adelaide penalty area. The pass was well off-target, however, and the ball rolled into the box. Kofi Danning did well to immediately see the mistake, and he sped past Mullen before sliding a pass to Berisha, who slotted home the tying goal. It was the first error made by the Adelaide back line, a mistake that cost them the win.

Brisbane continued to press forward in the final 20 minutes of play, but they just couldn't find the game-winner. Just three minutes after Berisha scored, Broich found himself unmarked and with possession in the center of the box. With all the time in the world, he sent a shot that mirrored Vidosic's failed first-half attempt. Broich also had two strikes cleared off the line in the 80th minute. The Roar then failed to get off one final shot in the 94th minute, and the final whistle blew as the ball bounced harmlessly out of the Adelaide penalty area.

What it means: Brisbane remain in second place, two points behind Central Coast Mariners and three points clear of Perth Glory. Adelaide stay at the bottom of the ladder, six points clear of last place Gold Coast.

Overall: It was far from pretty. Truth be told, both sides had multiple chances to take home the three points. It was one of the more entertaining 1-1 draws you'll see, however, and I highly recommend watching the game via replay this week.