Mariners continue resurgence with impressive away win over Brisbane Roar

Angel Torres continued his good goal-scoring form as the Mariners silenced the Roar at Suncorp Stadium.

Central Coast Mariners stretched their unbeaten A-League run to five matches as they condemned the rudderless Roar to back-to-back defeats on a wet Brisbane night.

An Angel Torres brace and a first-half goal from his fellow South American Marco Tulio secured the resurgent visitors a 3-0 win at a soggy Suncorp Stadium.

Having started their A-League title defence with four consecutive losses, the Mariners have since picked up 11 points from a possible 15 in a five-game stretch made up of three wins and two draws to at least temporarily move into the top six.

While the Roar remain three points ahead of the Mariners, successive defeats and lacklustre performances will have Brisbane coach Ross Aloisi concerned following his side’s impressive start to the season.

“We’re lucky that it wasn’t a dry field,” Aloisi said.

“Then we come up against a side set up really well defensively and have got dangerous players up front.

“We just kept playing backwards. We’re still going for it but I need more forward runs and forward passes.”

Marco Tulio (second from left) celebrates with his Mariners teammates after scoring against Brisbane Roar. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Roar rarely threatened in attack in a match that kicked off 15 minutes after the scheduled starting time due to lightning in the vicinity of the venue.

Being forced to remain in their dressing-rooms for longer than usual perhaps contributed to a slow start from both teams.

Eventually it was the Mariners who found their feet on a wet and patchy surface to take the lead in the 27th minute through Tulio.

Taking advantage of a Storm Roux through ball that split Brisbane’s defence, the Brazilian attacker rounded Roar goalkeeper Macklin Freke – who was caught in no-man’s land as he charged out of his penalty area – before defying a tight angle to find the back of the net with a sweet finish.

Brisbane’s best chance came in the 43rd minute through a shot from Carlo Armiento, who was starting for the first time in the A-League this season.

However, Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic stood tall to deny the Roar winger.

Vukovic was again called into action two minutes after half-time as he comfortably dealt with a header from young Brisbane striker Thomas Waddingham.

However that was the end of any hint of Brisbane comeback, with the Mariners doubling their lead in the 56th minute.

Gifted possession after Roar captain Tom Aldred switched off in defence and Freke gave the ball away, the visitors pounced, Tulio feeding Torres, whose first-time finish was superb.

Torres then provided the icing on the cake with his second of the contest – and his fifth in two games after a hat-trick last Sunday against Melbourne City – in stoppage-time.

Mariners coach Mark Jackson was delighted with the win against a “tough opponent”.

“Brisbane had a bit of possession in spells of the game, but we were really clinical in front of goal, something that we haven’t been all the time this season,” Jackson said.

“I know you never get perfection but to get a 3-0 away win against such a tough opponent, we have to be really pleased.”

Originally published as Mariners continue resurgence with impressive away win over Brisbane Roar