Brisbane Roar returned to winning ways in fine fashion with a well-earned 2-1 victory over Macarthur FC on Friday evening.
Dylan Wenzel-Halls’ stinging long-range strike broke the deadlock early in the first half before Riku Danzaki secured all three points with his fifth goal of the season and second in two games just prior to the hour.
Macarthur brought the margin of victory back to a single goal through Lachlan Rose late in proceedings, but returning defenders Tom Aldred and Macaulay Gillesphey helped Brisbane see out the contest as deserved winners.
Roar Head Coach Warren Moon was happy about a result which reaffirmed his confidence in the team’s recent performances.
“I thought we did well,” Moon said. “We defended well, we counter-attacked well [and] we kept the ball well. The only downside for us was at 2-0, we could have made it a lot more comfortable.
“I’ve said it every week, our performances are there and I would have said it [again] tonight had we dropped points. We just believe in the process of what we are doing, how we keep trying to play and develop.”
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Wenzel-Halls’ unerring 12th-minute finish was his seventh goal of the campaign and a positive way to mark his return to the starting line-up.
“There were a few questions about why he wasn’t starting last week but it’s a long season and [there’s] a lot of football coming,” Moon said of the striker.
“It was no reflection on his performance, more about freshening him up, and I think it benefitted him tonight.
“He was sharp, scored his goal, took it well and he was a constant threat all night.
Delighted with his performance.”
The Roar’s next assignment is another Friday night fixture, this time away to Western Sydney Wanderers as the team looks to build momentum ahead of the Anzac Day home game against Perth Glory on 25 April.
GOALS
Brisbane Roar – Wenzel-Halls 12’ – 1-0
Jay O’Shea strokes a lovely pass forward to Wenzel-Halls who cuts behind two defenders and fires a low drive into the bottom-left corner.
Brisbane Roar – Danzaki 58’ – 2-0
Scott Neville ventures forward down the right flank, collects a pass from Josh Brindell-South and slides an inch-perfect cross onto the boot of Danzaki.
Macarthur FC – Rose 90’ – 2-1
With time almost up, Macarthur break into the box and force in a cross which bounces fortuitously for Rose to slot away a consolation goal.
MATCH DETAILS
A-League 2021 Matchweek 16: Macarthur FC vs Brisbane Roar
Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Campbelltown
Friday, 9 April
Macarthur FC 1 (Rose 90’)
Brisbane Roar 2 (Wenzel-Halls 12’ Danzaki 58’)
Half-time: 0-1
