- 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wellington Phoenix FC | 26 | 14 | 8 | 4 | +13 | 50 |
Central Coast Mariners | 25 | 15 | 4 | 6 | +18 | 49 |
Melbourne Victory | 26 | 10 | 12 | 4 | +11 | 42 |
Macarthur FC | 26 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 41 |
Sydney FC | 26 | 11 | 5 | 10 | +5 | 38 |
Melbourne City FC | 26 | 10 | 6 | 10 | +11 | 36 |
Western Sydney Wanderers | 26 | 10 | 4 | 12 | -5 | 34 |
Brisbane Roar | 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | -12 | 30 |
Adelaide United | 25 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 29 |
Newcastle Jets | 26 | 6 | 10 | 10 | -6 | 28 |
Western United | 26 | 7 | 5 | 14 | -18 | 26 |
Perth Glory | 26 | 5 | 7 | 14 | -17 | 22 |