- Jamie Young - 55' OG
City beat Roar to go second in A-League
Melbourne City claimed outright second place on the A-League table with a 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park.
Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young's 55th-minute own goal proved the difference as City gained a three-point buffer on Perth and Wellington, while leaving Brisbane clinging to sixth place by just two points.
Young proved an immovable force in the first half, repelling a dominant City attack.
He comfortably claimed attempts from Adrian Luna and Curtis Good, then saved City's best chance off the opening period, which came off a marvellous set play in the 34th minute.
Markel Susaeta and Craig Noone combined beautifully off a free kick, with the latter whipping a delightful ball to Rostyn Griffiths, whose header was brilliantly denied by Young.
On 43 minutes, Luna forced a diving one-handed save from the Roar goalkeeper with a well-struck free kick, and Jamie Maclaren headed over the bar from the subsequent corner.
But Young's first-half heroics were vanquished by his unfortunate own goal in the 55th minute.
Susaeta and Noone played a 1-2, with Macaulay Gillesphey's clearing header landing at the feet of Josh Brillante.
The City midfielder's long-range volley clattered the post and bounced off the back of a diving Young and into the net.
Roar's night was further soured when Aaron Amadi-Holloway was substituted through injury just five minutes after entering the fray.
Tom Glover made a strong diving save to deny Roar's Scott McDonald in the 72nd minute.
Five minutes later, Jay O'Shea sent a dangerous free kick into the side netting.
From there, neither team troubled the scorers, with City settling for a 1-0 win in front of 7,559 fans.
Game Information
Australian A-League Men Standings
Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Auckland FC | 15 | 10 | 3 | 2 | +12 | 33 |
Adelaide United | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | +7 | 28 |
Melbourne Victory | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | +7 | 25 |
Western United | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | +6 | 25 |
Sydney FC | 16 | 7 | 3 | 6 | +9 | 24 |
Macarthur FC | 16 | 7 | 3 | 6 | +8 | 24 |
Melbourne City FC | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | +7 | 24 |
Western Sydney Wanderers | 15 | 6 | 3 | 6 | +3 | 21 |
Central Coast Mariners | 16 | 4 | 8 | 4 | -7 | 20 |
Wellington Phoenix FC | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | -2 | 18 |
Newcastle Jets | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -7 | 12 |
Perth Glory | 16 | 2 | 3 | 11 | -28 | 9 |
Brisbane Roar | 14 | 1 | 2 | 11 | -15 | 5 |