Soccer: Queensland Roar thrash NZ Knights

Queensland Roar piled on three goals in the last five minutes to thrash the New Zealand Knights 5-0 in their pre-season A-League soccer clash in Auckland tonight.

The second half remained scoreless until the 85th minute as the Roar looked to be cruising to a 2-0 win at North Harbour Stadium until their final flurry.

Queensland made it 3-0 when a long pass found Reece Tollenaere on his own in the penalty area and his simple header left the goal keeper stranded.

Warren Moon and Massimo Murdocca then scored easy goals in extra time to leave the home side demoralised.

The Roar's Royce Brownlie had put the Knights on the back foot early in the first half, scoring twice inside the first 11 minutes.

In the first he trapped a cross in the middle and despite being surrounded by Knights defenders found time to steady and drill the ball past the goalkeeper.

Play had barely recommenced when Brownlie stunned the Knights again, dribbling unhindered into the penalty box and chipping over the goalie's head.

The Knights improved in the second half with several close misses but were unable to score.

- AAP