Brisbane Roar have given departing defender Luke DeVere a fitting send off after they defeated the Wellington Phoenix 2-0 at Skilled Park on Wednesday, courtesy of two late strikes from substitute James Meyer.
Brisbane Roar have given departing defender Luke DeVere a fitting send off after they defeated the Wellington Phoenix 2-0 at Skilled Park on Wednesday, courtesy of two late strikes from substitute James Meyer.
In a hard fought win, the Roar took their undefeated tally to 22 games and equalled Australian club football record that has stood since the 1986/87 NSL season.
Brisbane were on the attack early and showed no signs of rust in what was their first game in two weeks, creating a number of half chances in the first few minutes.
However, it was Wellington that went the closest to opening the scoring in the 10th minute when Dylan Macallister found himself unmarked close to goal, yet he could only send his shot sailing wide of the post.
Brisbane continued to push forward as the half progressed, but struggled to find the final telling ball into the box.
The Roar nearly capitalised on their time in the opposition half in the 40th minute when Phoenix goalkeeper Danny Vukovic was forced to make a low save at his near post off an Ivan Franjic header.
The home side had one final chance in the dying stages of the first half when a pass from Mitch Nichols found Thomas Broich inside a congested Wellington box, though the speedy German could only send his shot over the bar leaving both sides scoreless at the break.
Kosta Barbarouses terrorised the Wellington defence in the opening stages of the second half and had a great opportunity to break the deadlock in the 48th minute.
The diminutive striker used his electrifying pace to get behind the opposition defence before unleashing a cross that sailed across the front of goal.
Wellington struggled to break down the Brisbane defence, however a powerful long range effort from Emmanuel Muscat forced an acrobatic save out of Brisbane goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos in the 53rd minute.
The Brisbane defence had a scare in the 68th minute when a seemingly mundane free kick from Andrew Durante sailed just wide of the post after a mix up between two Roar defenders.
Roar Coach Ange Postecoglou looked to make a late push for the win bringing on attacking player Henrique and giving James Meyer his first home start after finding the back of the net on his Hyundai A-League debut two weeks ago.
It was the substitute Meyer who finally broke the deadlock in the 83rd when his powerful shot from range gave his side a late lead.
Meyer won a challenge for the ball before finding space 30 yards out and unleashing a stinging shot, that took a deflection off a scrambling Phoenix defender and left Wellington gloveman Vukovic to watch the ball hit the back of the net.
Moments later in the 88th minute, Meyer doubled his tally when he tapped in from inside the box after a mix up in the Wellington defence left the marksman free to give the Roar a two goal lead and a fitting send off for Luke DeVere in what was his final game for the Roar.
Coach Postecoglou was happy with his side and stated that it was their perseverance that won them the game in the end.
“It was a night was perseverance was key and to the players credit they persevered,” said Postecoglou.
“It wasn-t an easy night for the boys but they showed good discipline and put it together in the last 15 minutes.
“The boys could have got frustrated and given wellington a goal, but they kept their composure and stuck to their task.”
Postecoglou also praised goalscorer James Meyer, pleased that the striker-s hard work is starting to reap rewards.
“James has done a lot of hard work at training and playing in the youth team, so it is great to see him taking advantage of the opportunity,” the Brisbane coach said.
“We have a small squad and it is key that everyone makes a contribution and so far this season everyone has.”
Brisbane Roar 2 (James MEYER 83-, 88-)
Wellington Phoenix 0
Skilled Park, Robina
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Local kick-off: 5.00pm
Referee: Ryan Shepherd
Crowd: 3522
Brisbane Roar line-up: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matthew SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE (2. Matthew MUNDY 84-), 4. Shane STEFANUTTO (c), 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (21. James MEYER 70-), 17. Mitch NICHOLS (10. HENRIQUE 70-), 22. Thomas BROICH
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk)
Yellow Cards: James MEYER 75-
Red Cards: Nil
Wellington Phoenix line-up: 2. Emmanuel MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 6. Tim BROWN, 9. Chris GREENACRE (21. Marco ROJAS 75-), 11.DANIEL (4. Nick WARD 63-), 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 19. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Dylan MACALLISTER (14. Mirjan PAVLOVIC 54-)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk).
Yellow Cards: Tim BROWN 20-, Vince LIA 36-, Emmanuel MUSCAT 79-
Red Cards: Nil
