Scott McDonald and Riku Danzaki scored two apiece to fire red-hot Brisbane Roar to a 5-2 win as Melbourne Victory self-destructed at Dolphin Stadium.
The rampant Queenslanders powered in four goals in the space of 26 dazzling first-half minutes and, although the Navy Blue hit back to keep their hopes alive, Roar regained control after the interval to make it four straight wins for the first time in five years.
The in-form Dylan Wenzel-Halls opened the floodgates with his fifth goal in four A-League games before veteran forward McDonald and exciting Japanese import Danzaki punished a sleepwalking Navy Blue with two goals in the space of three minutes.
After Victory youngster Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio bundled in his first A-League goal, McDonald’s header made it the first time Brisbane had scored four times in one half in a decade, although the visitors had the final word of the opening 45 minutes when Jake Brimmer curled in a 20-yard free-kick for 4-2.
But Brisbane picked up quickly where they left off after the break. Even centre-back Macaulay Gillespie was getting in on the act, surging through the Victory defence to tee up Danzaki for his second goal, and halting any danger of a comeback from Grant Brebner’s disjointed side four minutes after the restart.
Chances went begging in a wide-open second half but Warren Moon’s team finished by celebrating a successful week in style. After signing Tom Aldred and Jay O’Shea to long-term deals and welcoming back Jamie Young from a serious knee injury, Roar surged to the top of the A-League. Victory are rock bottom.
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Key moments
Playing his first A-League game in more than six years, Josh Brindell-South made a quick impression on his Roar debut, playing a searching through ball for Dylan Wenzel-Halls to fire in a shot that goalkeeper Max Crocombe was forced to parry wide. But the in-form striker made no mistake in the ninth minute when Riku Danzaki flicked on captain Tom Aldred’s pass and Wenzel-Halls drilled a strike in off the knees of Crocombe.
The Navy Blue were reeling and Warren Moon's side were being awarded acres of space in possession as they aimed to turn the screw at Dolphin Stadium. With little pressure on the ball, veteran striker Scott McDonald collected a loose ball outside the penalty box and unleashed a stinging half volley in to the top corner to net his second goal of the season against Victory and double Brisbane's lead inside a quarter hour.
Three minutes later and a sluggish Victory were chasing a three-goal deficit. Before Grant Brebner’s team could gather their thoughts, the relentless home side were streaking away with Corey Brown flying down the left. The wing-back’s looping cross caused Crocombe to flap the ball into the path of Danzaki and the Japanese attacker bundled in his second A-League goal amid a scattered defence.
With Victory suddenly battling to avoid embarrassment, the away side were handed a lifeline when Adama Traore burst down the left and his cross was bundled in by Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio under pressure by Roar captain Aldred's pressure. But the away side’s flow was quickly stamped out when Brindell-South sprinted through, Crocombe saved a strike with his feet and Danzaki powered the rebound off target.
It was going from bad to worse as the Navy Blue's static defence watched Dylan Ryan stumble as while chasing Brown’s corner and McDonald rose highest to finish a simple header and double his tally in the 35th minute. But Victory would not lie down. After the returning Robbie Kruse side footed Storm Roux’s cut-back over the bar from close range, Jake Brimmer curled in a 20-yard free-kick to again give Victory hope.
Wenzel-Halls almost grabbed his second but his improved 40-yard lob flew over the bar, before Danzaki doubled his tally, converting at the far post after Macaulay Gillespie's marauding run. McDonald went in search of a hat-trick, curling one off target and volleying another wide, and had to settle for two. Storm Roux missed a sitter from close range as Victory's hopes disappeared and Roar completed a five-star display.
Next fixtures – Matchweek 7
Brisbane Roar v Macarthur FC
Tuesday, 9 February 2021
Venue: Dolphin Stadium, Redcilffe
Kick-off: 7.35pm AEDT
Match Centre
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory
Sunday, 7 February 2021
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 4.05pm AEDT
Match Centre
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