The Riverina Rhinos are still searching for their first points of the season after falling to a clinical Canberra FC side on Saturday afternoon at Solar Mad Stadium.
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The visitors took the lead with a powerful shot from outside the box from Ryan Keir found the back of the net, but the Rhinos were able to create a chance to hit back almost instantly.
Recruit Keith Jackson was able to get on the end of a long ball from Mitch Baginate and got one-on-one with the Canberra FC keeper, but Jackson was unable to get the ball past the keeper.
The visiting side was creating the better chances, and two goals after halftime for Daniel Barac saw Canberra FC able to secure a 3-0 victory.
The Rhinos were able to get into dangerous with Jackson able to get on the end of three quality chances but wasn't able to get the touch when it was required to finish those chances.
Dean Catanzariti was able to create a chance for the Rhinos just before full time with his long-range shot finding the target, but it was saved, and the rebound rolled out for a corner.
To compound issues for the Riverina side, captain Joe Preece was given his marching orders after receiving two yellow cards.
Coach Gabriel Abdala admitted that his side was second best on the field.
"You could see that the way executed everything at 100 miles per hour. They were just fast all around the field, and they earned that win," he said.
"There were some positives from the game where we created our own chances and were able to control bits of the game but in saying that they were just too good."
Being forced into an early substitution put the Rhinos on the back foot early, but Abdala is hopeful the injury to George Pavese isn't too serious.
"I checked the time, and it was four minutes in. To make a sub that early and bring on another player who ended up being substituted himself anyway, it wasn't what we needed," he said.
"He (Pavese) said he felt his knee pop out and then pop back in so hopefully it is nothing too serious."
The Rhinos will now prepare to travel to Canberra to take on Gungahlin United.