Roar reignite in second half goal-fest

Brisbane Roar awoke from their mid-season slumber to record a convincing 3-1 Victory over Perth Glory in a frantic second half at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The Roar, coming into the match on the back of two consecutive losses, ran rampant in the second 45 to move seven points clear of second-placed Western Sydney and condemn Perth to the foot of the table.

Prior to kick-off, one couldn't help but feel an international flavour in the air with the World Cup around the corner and international friendlies taking stage mid-week.

The taste certainly transpired onto the field, with four different nationalities getting on the score-sheet, ranging from the spectacular to the dead-set shambolic.

After a bright start to the match in which Perth attacker Sidnei spurned two early chances to put the visitors ahead, Brisbane grew into the contest but would have to wait until shortly after the restart to celebrate.

Ivan Franjic, recently called up to the Socceroos squad to face Ecuador next week alongside teammate Matt McKay, got on the end of a precise free-kick from Thomas Broich to nod home at the far post.

It was no less than they deserved, but the home faithful would have to wait until the 81st minute for the clincher, which arrived in comical circumstances.

Liam Miller and Besart Berisha overplayed (mildly said) a clear opportunity presented to them by 19 year-old Brandon O’Neill’s loss of footing.

With both through on goal and only ‘keeper Danny Vukovic standing in the way, the pair made their best effort to butcher the chance by exchanging one too many passes.

The opportunity seemed lost when Miller shot into Vukovic, but the former Irish international did well to recover off the rebound – much to the relief of everyone fond of orange (-dressed Dutch fans). It was total football at its best.

Some might say when in need of precision, turn to Zee Germans – and that’s exactly what Brisbane did. Broich added gloss to the scoreline by curling in a sumptuous strike from well outside the box five minutes from time.

But perhaps Brisbane felt guilty of taking advantage of Perth gifting them a second goal – they returned the favour. Matt Smith in particular that is, playing a suicide ball across the penalty box – for which New Zealand international Shane Smeltz was all too thankful for as he coolly dispatched past a furious Michael Theo.

“It was the best pass I received all night that from Matty,” said Smeltz post-game.

Brisbane coach Mike Mulvey said the first goal was key in the contest and he was all too happy to farewell the club’s drop in form.

“The steam gets let off sometimes when you either score a goal or do something that lifts the crowd,” Mulvey said.

“It was one of those days where you needed the first goal.

“I’m very pleased for the players because they've copped some stick of late and that’s the best way to bounce back.

“We've still got a long way to get to our top quality but that was some way towards it. What I will say is that we played ourselves into form.”

Perth coach Kenny Lowe singled out his side’s inexperience as the main catalyst to allowing Brisbane to take the result.

“I thought they (Roar) were a bit toothless in the first half – they played in front of us and didn’t really play through us,” Lowe said.

“Once they got the ascendancy they were good value for the win, but you can’t do two things against this side.

“You can’t not take your chances and you can’t give them the first two goals because there’s no coming back from that.

“With us giving them the two goals it allowed them to get back into form. If I pop an invoice in to Mike he might pay me out.”

All jokes aside, Brisbane – shoe-ins for the minor premiership – will await to see whether Western Syndey can once again cut their lead at the top to four points when they take on Newcastle on Sunday.



Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEO (gk), 2. Matthew SMITH (c), 3. Shane STEFANUTTO, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 7. Besart BERISHA, 11. Liam MILLER 13. Jade NORTH, 17. Matthew McKAY (8. Steven LUSTICA 82’), 18. Luke BRATTAN, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Dimiti PETRATOS (10. HENRIQUE 88’)


Perth Glory: 1. Daniel VUKOVIC (gk), 2. Jack CLISBY, 3. Brandon O’NEILL, 5. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 7. Jacob BURNS (c), 8. Nebojsa MARINKOVIC (14. Steven McGARRY 60’), 9. Shane SMELTZ, 16. SIDNEI Sciola MORAES, 17. Chris HAROLD (20. Daniel DE SILVA 75’), 19. Joshua RISDON, 36. William GALLAS