Perth Glory has paid the price for a couple of defensive lapses as a ruthless Queensland side showed their championship credentials with a 4-1 victory at Members Equity Stadium.
The vital three points takes Roar to joint top of the Hyundai A-League ladder, at least until tomorrow night when round 18 concludes with table-topping rivals Central Coast Mariners taking on Melbourne Victory in Gosford.
A great atmosphere greeted this highly anticipate clash and a season high 9614 fans turned out on a beautiful Sunday evening in Perth. The home side created several good chances but couldn't capitalise on their endeavour which in the end proved to be the main difference between the sides.
"In the first half I thought we played well, dominated possession without really threatening, but we made a couple of silly mistakes which they've capitalised on and punished us," Mitchell said.
Glory captain Simon Colosimo, who was booed for his rumoured move to Sydney in Hal 4, had an opportunity in a rare 33rd minute foray but curled the ball past the right upright.
Roar coach Frank Farina gave a first start to 18-year-old Tahj Minniecon and the move paid off when the youngster was instrumental in the opening goal on 34 minutes. Minniecon's lovely reverse pass to fellow striker Robbie Kruse was too good to waste and Kruse made the most of the space to finish calmly past Tando Velaphi in the Glory goal and register his fourth of the season.
Just eight minutes later the Roar doubled their lead and Minniecon was again the instigator. Looking to take on Hayden Foxe, Minniecon over-ran the ball but beat Foxe in the tackle allowing Reinaldo to capitalise on the loose ball and slam low past Velaphi from 18 metres.
Midfielder Nick Rizzo did give the vocal crowd something to celebrate as he knocked in his first goal in Glory colours but the overall performance would have left Coach Dave Mitchell scratching his head as Perth again struggled to find that much needed consistency.
The home side rallied briefly with both Billy Celeski and Simon Colosimo worrying Liam Reddy in the Roar goal, but fears of being pegged back again were put to rest by substitute Josh McCloughan in the 74th minute. Kruse was felled by Karpeh and Matt McKay's free-kick was headed home by the big central defender from close range to kill off Glory's revival hopes.
Frank Farina was not only delighted with the win, but also that his striking trio all found goal-scoring form ahead of the crucial final 3 fixtures of the season.
Certainly Queensland played very competently, keeping the pressure on the Glory that enabled them to take advantage of the error prone Perth defence, but the game was Glory's to take and they failed. The Roar will be watching Monday night's game at Gosford to see whether the Premiership is there be taken as well.