The second annual Craig Foster Cup took place yesterday in front of 5100 at the Oaks Oval in Lismore, New South Wales with Brisbane Roar dismantling Melbourne Heart 3-0. Heart won the inaugural cup last year after beating Western Sydney Wanderers on penalties. Besart Berisha scored all three Roar goals, though the game's most significant event might have been Orlando Engelaar's departure due to injury in the 30th minute.
Brisbane Roar 3 - Melbourne Heart 0
A hat-trick for Besart Berisha was more than enough for Brisbane in Lismore, though Orlando Engelaar’s injury was the day’s biggest news.
Heart’s new Marquee signing came out worst in a challenge with Thomas Broich on the half-hour, required a stretcher to leave the field and traveled straight to a local hospital. So far Heart officials are not confirming a broken leg, though that was the immediate fear:
Orlando getting scans and being assessed. Nothing confirmed at this point.
— Scott Munn (@scott_munn) August 25, 2013
Just to reiterate, Orlando Engelaar sustained a knock during today's loss to @brisbaneroar. Initial reports suggest a bruised shin.
— Melbourne Heart FC (@MelbourneHeart) August 25, 2013
Berisha scored the opener after just 16 seconds, though it took more than an hour for the Roar to double their lead. Brisbane controlled the match and apart from a few sporadic chances, Heart did not come particularly close to scoring until former Brøndby striker Brent McGrath, who is on trial, hit the post in the game’s waning moments. Both sides fielded strong lineups as the season is now less than 50 days away.
Brisbane Roar: Theo; Hingert, North (Donachie 70’), Smith, Stefanutto (Brown 80’); Franjic, Broich, Brattan (Petratos 65’), McKay (Yeboah 89’); Berisha, Miller (Doe 80’).
Goals: Berisha (1’, 66’, 83’)
Melbourne Heart: Redmayne; Hoffman, Vrankovic, Gerhardt, Behich; Murdocca, Engelaar (Retre 30’), Kewell; Williams (Ramsay 75’), Mebrahtu, Dugandzic (Brent McGrath 71’)
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