Victory still in hunt after beating Roar
There was a happy farewell for Socceroos striker Archie Thompson but only tears of frustration for Queensland Roar as its A-League finals chances all but evaporated in a 1-0 loss to the Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium.
All the pre-match hype surrounded Thompson who was making his A-League season swansong after Melbourne finally agreed to a six-month loan deal with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.
And Thompson didn't disappoint.
After absorbing plenty of first half pressure, Melbourne stunned the crowd of almost 13,000 when Thompson broke through in the 55th minute.
After midfielder Kristian Sarkies hit the right post, Michael Ferrante crossed to Daniel Allsopp who headed to Thompson and the Netherlands-bound striker did the rest, diving low to head the ball past Roar 'keeper Tom Willis.
It was the eighth goal of the season for Thompson and it all but shattered Queensland's top-four finals chances with yet another loss at home.
The Roar has won just one game at home out of nine - a 2-0 victory against cellar dwellers New Zealand in the opening round way back in August 28.
Queensland (5-6-7 record) is mathematically a chance to scrape into the top four but must win its remaining three games and rely on other results to go its way to pull off a minor miracle.
Melbourne (6-5-7) is still in the hunt after leapfrogging Queensland on the ladder and hovering just four points outside the top four.
From the outset Queensland applied pressure with striker Reinaldo almost capitalising on a Mike McKay cross in the opening minute.
Queensland squandered countless first half chances, typified by a 23rd minute effort by striker Michael Baird.
Capitalising on a poor clearance from Melbourne goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos, Baird found himself unmarked and with only the custodian to beat in front of goal.
But Theoklitos was up to the task, smothering Baird's strike as another opportunity went begging.
The trend continued in the second half as Queensland failed to turn half chances into goals against a grinding Melbourne.
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