Soccer: Roar endure a day they'd rather forget

It was a day to forget for Brisbane Roar - on and off the field.

Before a ball was kicked, the club had indefinitely suspended their coach, former Socceroos coach Frank Farina, for a second drink-driving offence.

The team then turned up at Suncorp Stadium for the derby clash with Hyundai A-League contenders Gold Coast United minus a number of key players absent either on international duty, through suspension or injury.

By the end of the game - lost 1-0 following Joel Porter's 31st minute strike - the Roar had also had four players booked. It was, in the circumstances and when their paltry 43 per cent of possession was taken into account, a reasonable effort and one which brought praise from victorious United coach Miron Bleiberg.

Perth Glory continue to surprise.

Their 1-0 home win over Adelaide United had them up to second for a time over the weekend before ending the 10th round in third place, trailing Gold Coast on goal difference.

Despite being behind in attempts on goal, corners and in possession, the Glory scored their fifth win of the season on the back of Victor Sikora's 81st minute goal.

Perth ended the match a player short after Andy Todd was red-carded late in the game.

The upset of the round came at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium where 30,668 fans were left speechless as visiting Sydney FC scored three goals in four minutes to take a 3-0 lead which did not change for the remaining 70 minutes.

Melbourne, coming off three straight wins, were expected to continue their good record against their northern rivals who had won only one of nine previous encounters between the league's heavyweights.

But in a trice the home side were rocked as Alex Brosque (after 15 minutes) and then Mark Bridge one minute and then three minutes later, found the back of the Melbourne goal with strikes which gave goalkeeper Glen Moss no chance.

The points were shared in the only other match played - the game between Newcastle Jets and the Wellington Phoenix has been postponed until November 4 - with Daniel McBreen's 77th minute header earning North Queensland Fury a 1-1 draw after Matt Simon had put Central Coast Mariners ahead in the first minute of the match.

Bridge's double success took his season tally to eight and a share of second place on the golden boot table with Sergio van Dijk. Kiwi Shane Smeltz still leads with nine goals.

The Phoenix have a chance to move up the table on Saturday night but only if they can overcome what could be oppressive conditions at Townsville's Dairy Farmers Stadium where they tackle expansion team North Queensland Fury.

The key clash will be Sunday's game between Gold Coast United and Perth at Skilled Park.