Brisbane Roar suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Adelaide United in Isuzu UTE A-League Unite Round action at Allianz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Despite leading at the break through goals from Keegan Jelacic and Jay O’Shea a second half fightback from the Reds saw Carl Veart’s side take all three points with strikes from Stefan Mauk, Zac Clough and Archie Goodwin.
Jelacic opened the scoring in the sixth minute when he found himself in space deep in the opposition third before picking out the bottom corner with a strike from range to open his account for the 2024/25 season.
United levelled the scores through former Roar midfielder, Mauk in the 33rd minute who fired a low effort into the back of the net after Austin Ayoubi forced a turnover to put the Reds in on goal.
O’Shea reinstated Roar’s lead with a sweeping finish from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute after Thomas Waddingham was dragged down by Bart Vriends inside the area.
O’Shea’s 25th Isuzu UTE A-League goal moves him level with Sergio Van Dijk on the club’s all time top scorers list.
The Reds equalised 35 seconds into the second half when Clough fired home at the second attempt on the end of a cross from substitute, Ben Folami.
Goodwin put United ahead in the 62nd minute when turned the ball into an empty net after Dylan Pierias got in behind the defence and found the forward at the back post.
Roar fought hard to restore parity and came closest through a pair of headers from Harry Van Der Saag and Florin Berenguer headers on the end of some strong passages of play but were unable to find an equaliser.
18-year-old, Jacob Brazete made a lively A-League debut, coming on as an 82nd minute substitute and making several dangerous incursions down the left flank.
Next up for Ruben Zadkovich’s side is a trip to face Macarthur at Campbelltown Town on Saturday, November 30.
MATCH DETAILS
Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2024/25 – Unite Round: Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Saturday, 23 November
Brisbane Roar – 2 (Keegan JELACIC 6’, Jay O’SHEA 43’)
Adelaide United – 3 (Stefan MAUK 33’, Zac CLOUGH 46’, Archie GOODWIN 63’)
