Friday, February 6, 2009

Queensland Roar win semi-final against Central Coast

Queensland Roar scored a well-earned 2-0 away win over Central Coast Mariners in the first leg of their A-League minor semi-final at Bluetongue Stadium this evening.

Against the run of play, Mitch Nichols headed home Matt McKay's corner at the near post in the 29th minute to put the Roar in front.

Roar were lucky to have 11 players on the park as Danny Tiatto's two-footed tackle on Andre Gumprecht in the 31st minute drew only a yellow card.

Central Coast Mariners' Matthew Osman came closest to scoring for the home side when his rocket from just outside the box almost knocked Roar goalkeeper Liam Reddy off his feet.

Tiatto received a second yellow card 15 minutes from the end and was dismissed. He will miss the second leg.

Sergio Van Dijk made it 2-0 with a penalty in the 54th minute after Nichols was brought down inside the box by Paul O'Grady. It was Van Dijk's twelfth goal of the season.

The attendance of 9514 was the lowest ever for an A-League finals match.

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