Brisbane Roar’s poor form continues with loss to Central Coast Mariners

Robbie Kruse’s expected Brisbane Roar return didn’t eventuate on another bad night for the Queensland club.

Mariners midfielder Joshua Nisbet (centre) holds off the Roar’s Henry Hore (right) at Kayo Stadium. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Robbie Kruse’s A-League return was put on hold on Friday night as Brisbane Roar’s dismal form continued with 2-1 loss to the Central Coast Mariners at Kayo Stadium.

Kruse had been expected to make his Roar return after recently rejoining the club where he started his A-League career in 2007.

However, following the birth of his second child, the former Socceroos attacker was given the night off by Brisbane coach Warren Moon.

It’s a decision that Moon could very well regret as the Roar again struggled in attack.

Their only goal of the game came via a penalty, with Irish midfielder Jay O’Shea equalising with a 23rd minute spot after the Mariners’ Brazilian attacker Marco Tulio had fouled Carlo Armiento.

Tulio had given the Mariners the lead just four minutes earlier, netting from close range after Brisbane failed to properly clear a corner from new Central Coast signing James McGarry.

The Mariners had a chance to regain the lead in the 33rd minute, but much to the Roar’s relief, Jason Cummings’ shot hit the base of the post.

However, the Mariners eventually got their winner in the 69th minute, with referee Jonathan Barreiro awarding his second penalty of the night, this time for a foul from Roar defender Scott Neville on Mariners’ centre-back Dan Hall.

Beni N’Kololo stepped up to score from the spot and secure the Mariners their first win in four matches.

Beni N’Kololo is congratulated by his Mariners teammates after scoring from the penalty spot. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Roar are now without a win in their past six matches and could be bottom of the ladder by the end of the round depending on other results this weekend.

“It’s a bad result for us,” Roar star O’Shea told Paramount+.

“We haven’t won now for six games. It’s not good. We need to try to get something right.

“We need to get out on the training pitch and try to rectify it, and get ourselves back up the league,

“It’s very tight. A couple of wins in a row can get us right back in the mix. We can’t give up yet.”

New Roar signing, former Serbian international striker Stefan Scepovic, came on as a substitute, but he failed to make an impact in his A-League debut.

Mariners goalscorer N’Kololo said it was a tight contest and was thrilled to be returning to Gosford with the three points after the team had only arrived in Queensland on Friday morning after their scheduled flight on Thursday afternoon was cancelled.