Robbie Kruse didn't seem to mind the absence of fellow Roar cub Michael Zullo as he held centre stage on his own in Queensland Roar's 1-0 win over premiers Melbourne Victory at Lang Park last night.
Kruse scored the only goal of the game and was agonisingly close to a second in yet another man-of-the-match display. Melbourne put plenty of pressure on the Roar defence in the second half, and had substantial spells of dominance, but they couldn't find the back of the net. The loss leaves Melbourne 8 points behind the league leaders and with a mountain to climb over the next month.
Victory coach Ernie Merrick drafted in Steven Pace from the Victorian State League to cover the middle of defence beside Roddy Vargas. Despite missing Kevin Muscat and Luubo Milicevic from their first-choice line-up, Victory still had Grant Brebner patrolling the middle of the park, and plenty of firepower upfront, with Archie Thompson and Danny Allsopp, the best strike pairing in the league last season, supported by Carlos Hernandez, and Leandro Love ready to come off the bench.
Roar coach Frank Farina rewarded Marcinho's excellent game off the bench last Sunday with the starting spot left vacant by Zullo's call-up to the Olyroos. The Roar were otherwise unchanged, with Stuart McLaren continuing in the holding role in midfield.
The game was just getting underway when in the space of 30 seconds, two attackers showed their hand. In the 4th minute, a poor back pass from McLaren was almost seized on by ever-alert Archie Thompson. Liam Reddy was off his line in time to clear away the danger, but it was fair notice for the Queensland defence that Thompson - a frequent tormentor in previous games between these two clubs - fancied his chances against the Roar.
But the outlet at the other end was Robbie Kruse. In the 5th minute, his mazy dribble set himself up for a shot, which he mishit. Queensland are developing a better style of build-up over the past few weeks, with Reinaldo becoming more effective in the target-man role, holding up the ball for his support players. Queensland are also doing very well at defending from the front. When they lose the ball in their attacking third, they close down the opposition very quickly, and tackle with great intensity.
It was defensive pressure from Reinaldo that led to Marcinho getting possession in the 10th minute. He passed to McKay, who found a channel for a through ball to Kruse.
Kruse cut inside the challenge of Grant Brebner, steadied himself, and curled a 20-metre shot past Theoklitos into the corner of the goal. Robbie Kruse does not seem to be a young man who is short on confidence and composure. This goal showcased both of those attributes, as well as his pace and skill. His coolness on this occasion was very reminiscent of Marcinho's goal against Wellington, and is a very good indicator of the improvement in front of goal that the Roar have showed under Frank Farina.
With an early goal under their collective belt, Queensland were full of running. Marcinho ran at a retreating Victory defence a minute later and let fly. Theoklitos did well to deflect the shot away for a corner. A couple of minutes later, Sasa Ognenovski found himself in the clear, once again as Queensland won the ball back high up the field. Big Sas looked up and spotted Marcinho lurking again. The cutback to the top of the box was just right, but Marcinho needed to take a touch to control it and the defence closed him down enough that Theoklitos was once again able to turn the shot away for a corner.
With an early goal under their collective belt, Queensland were full of running. Marcinho ran at a retreating Victory defence a minute later and let fly. Theoklitos did well to deflect the shot away for a corner. A couple of minutes later, Sasa Ognenovski found himself in the clear, once again as Queensland won the ball back high up the field. Big Sas looked up and spotted Marcinho lurking again. The cutback to the top of the box was just right, but Marcinho needed to take a touch to control it and the defence closed him down enough that Theoklitos was once again able to turn the shot away for a corner.
Then Kruse set up Matt McKay at the edge of the box. It was close to history-making as McKay's right foot grass-cutter snuck just the wrong side of the post into the stanchion.
Eventually the Roar onslaught died away, and Melbourne began to see more of the ball. Brebner's distribution, and the attacking threat of Caceres and Hernandez was keeping the Roar defence well occupied. Just on the half hour, Roar skipper Craig Moore came off the worse for wear in a tangle with Archie Thompson, and had to be replaced. Ben Griffin slotted straight in at centre back.
For the rest of the half, Melbourne had a larger share of territory and possession, but did not make many clear chances. Perhaps the pick of their opportunities came in the 35th minute, when Roddy Vargas headed over from a Matthew Kemp corner, and in the 37th minute, when Archie Thompson set up a shooting chance for Adrian Caceres, who also missed the target on the high side.
In the second half, Melbourne continued to press forward. Ognenosvki, Packer and Griffin were holding them at bay. Ernie Merrick brought his Brazilian, Leandro Love, into action, attacking down Andy Packer's flank. But although he looked threatening on many occasions, Leandro wasn't able to make a decisive impact on the game, and Packer met his dribbling raids with well-timed tackles.
Archie Thompson continued to be a menace, however, and it was his ball from the right flank in the 58th minute that led to Melbourne's best chance of the game. The cross was whipped in at great pace, and Danny Allsopp seemed best positioned to win the race for the ball. Liam Reddy dived at the feet of Allsopp, and did just enough to make it difficult for the big striker. Allsopp's volley as a result ballooned over the bar. He struck it too well, as a scuffed attempt would probably have trickled into the net.
Queensland wasn't sitting back on its lead, and in the 64th minute Robbie Kruse somehow didn't quite score. The ball was loose after a free-kick, and Kruse was quickest to react. His side-footed shot through a crowd of players banged against the upright and somehow stayed out of the goal.
Melbourne also hit the post, from a Hernandez free kick in the 76th minute. Queensland's defence was becoming desperate and the Victory strikers were starting to draw too many free-kicks. Hernandez had a good sight of goal from the top of the 'D', and he hit the base of the post with Reddy wrong-footed. Very unlucky.
Despite another couple of dead-ball opportunities, Melbourne wasn't able to draw level, and Farina marked the anniversary of his arrival at the Roar with a win.
The Roar are now unbeaten in seven games, and have closed (temporarily at least) to within a point of the league leaders Central Coast. Queensland travel down to Sydney next weekend in the best shape they have ever been to mount a serious tilt at the Hyundai A-League title. With Kruse, Zullo, Marcinho and McKay they have the attacking weapons to cause problems for any side in this competition.
Much will depend on the durability of the Roar cubs in the second half of the season. The two youngsters will be marked men now. From the work of Robbie Kruse last night, it seems this is a burden that sits lightly on the shoulders of these two young stars.