Brisbane Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich remains defiant despite another loss

The Roar’s miserable A-League season shows no signs of improving, but Brisbane coach Ruben Zadkovich wants his players to ‘embrace’ the situation.

Roar defender Hosine Bility (left) and Mariners players clash during Central Coast’s 3-1 win at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Embattled Brisbane coach Ruben Zadkovich maintains he is “the man” to save the Roar’s season despite yet another depressing result.

Brisbane’s horror 2024-25 campaign continued at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night with a 3-1 loss to the Central Coast Mariners.

The Roar are now without a win in 10 A-League matches this season, having picked up just two points from a possible 30.

However, the bullish Zadkovich, who this week received the backing of the club’s chief executive officer Kaz Patafta, said the Roar had to “embrace” their “hardships”.

“These are very difficult times,” Zadkovich told Paramount Plus.

“Sometimes it gets a little bit darker before the light comes. I feel like that’s us at the moment.

“We just have to look at where we can improve ... because there is a bright future there for a lot of these players.

“I’m interested in trying to help a club that’s struggling, and even through the turmoil, stay really calm and help this squad get out of this predicament.

“That’s my responsibility, and I’ll enjoy that process. I am the man (to take Brisbane forward) because I’m here and my belief doesn’t waver.”

Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich insists he’s the right person to save Brisbane’s A-League season. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

While it was another frustrating for the Queenslanders, who also had defender Hosine Bility sent off in the dying stages for a second bookable offence, it was a relieving win for the Mariners.

Last season’s champions have made a disappointing start to their title defence, however their third win of the campaign may yet kickstart their bid to again play finals football.

Late goals from midfielder Harry Steele and substitute Arthur De Lima, a former Brisbane youth player, sealed Central Coast’s win after Brisbane had equalised in the 71st minute through a Ben Halloran volley.

It was a deserved equaliser, with the Roar having dominated the contest after making a shocking start when the Mariners went ahead in the 11th minute through an own goal from Brisbane midfielder Walid Shour.

Mariners goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen was forced to make saves soon after to deny Roar skipper Jay O’Shea and teenage striker Thomas Waddingham, while attacking weapon Keegan Jelacic had a shot that was blocked by Central Coast defender Brian Kaltak.

The Roar continued to push forward after the break, with Waddingham – who has been linked with moves to English clubs Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday – failing to finish a great chance to equalise in the 56th minute.

Arthur De Lima celebrates after scoring for the Central Coast Mariners against Brisbane Roar. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Halloran’s goal then gave the Roar’s long-suffering fans hope that the club’s first win of the season was within reach, however the Mariners responded through goals from Steele and De Lima to continue Brisbane’s agony.

Mariners coach Mark Jackson said he was “delighted” with the win.

“The boys had to show a lot of commitment for that and they had to fight for that,” Jackson said.

“We want to control games better than we did for large periods of that one, but ... I’m delighted for the fight and I’m delighted for our fans as well.”

Brotherly battle

The Herrington brothers – Brisbane’s Lucas and Central Coast’s Diesel – went head-to-head in the A-League for the first time.

Lucas, 17, started in the heart of the Roar defence in just his fourth A-League appearance, while big brother Diesel – a 20-year-old defender and former Brisbane youth player – entered the contest in the 65th minute as a replacement for ex-Socceroo Trent Sainsbury.

And while they were on opposing sides, Diesel was quick to check on the welfare of his younger brother after he was dumped to the ground by another Mariners substitute, Ryan Edmondson.