Brisbane Roar has sent a stern message to their A-League rivals by tearing a 10-man Central Coast to shreds with a ruthless 4-0 home win.
A Brisbane Roar player celebrates a goal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Jade North, the in-form Jamie Maclaren, Corona and super-sub Henrique each found the back of the net as the title-hunting Roar handed the Mariners a harsh reality check in rainy conditions at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane were untroubled by the competition's bottom-placed side, who lost one of their few dangerous attacking outlets, winger Mitch Austin (back), in the pre-match warm-up and were on the back foot for almost the entire 90 minutes.
"We needed that," Brisbane coach John Aloisi said, delighted his side has rebounded from back-to-back losses with seven goals in their past two games, conceding just once.
Mariners coach Tony Walmsley described the result as a "spanking" and an "absolute touch-up."
"We can't play like that and win A-League matches. We know that, but we'll put it behind us quickly."
Meanwhile Western Sydney Wanderers struck an 89th minute equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw away to Melbourne Victory.
Victory were on course for a second win in four weeks over an A-League leader after knocking off Brisbane Roar 4-0 on January 15, but Brendon Santalab scored in the dying stages to secure a point for the away side.
-AAP
