Brisbane Roar Youth needed to come from behind twice against the Australian Institute of Sport to record their first win of the National Youth League campaign.
The away side struggled to find fluency in their passing in the opening stages of the match and, despite Brisbane-s enthusiasm in front of goal, neither side managed to create an early chance.
Brisbane almost had the lead in the tenth minute when a through ball from James Meyer found strike partner Matt Thurtell with just the keeper to beat, but the referee-s assistant-s flag was up for offside.
AIS then had a decent chance through Hernan Espindola, but Roar defender Matt Byrne-s perfectly timed challenge in the box ensured the game stayed on even terms.
As the match progressed, Brisbane looked more threatening in front of goal and close to the half hour mark Meyer unleashed a left-foot scorcher towards goal, but AIS ‘keeper Paul Izzo did well to control the ball.
However, it was the away side who broke the deadlock first, when Adam Taggart-s first touch strike was enough to beat the advancing Roar goalkeeper Nicholas Tubbs, giving the AIS a one goal advantage heading into halftime.
Brisbane had the better chances in the opening stages of the second half, with Meyer and skipper Chris Bush having opportunities to equalise, but it was Roar centre back Dane Milovanovic who brought the game level in the 55th minute.
After an array of shots from Brisbane were blocked in the box, the ball fell to Milovanovic, who-s low powerful strike found the bottom corner of the opposition-s net.
Despite using their momentum from the goal to push forward, Brisbane found themselves a goal behind again, when the AIS-s lively striker Melvin Becket collected the ball in the area and chipped Tubbs in the Roar goal with a quick touch.
As the rain began to fall around Luxury Paints Stadium, Brisbane were determined to find another equaliser and continued to push forward and attack.
Meyer was again amongst the action, and could have found himself on the scoresheet when he skilfully backheeled a Milovanic-s free kick under the AIS keeper-s reach but he was deemed offside by referee Adam Kersey.
Minutes later, a thunderbolt shot from Meyer was palmed into the path of substitute Jacob McLean who buried his opportunity to bring the scoreline level.
But the home side were not done and found themselves with a deserved lead in the 82nd minute when a perfectly placed through ball from Joshua McVey found Meyer close to goal.
Even with the tightest of angles, Meyer managed to calmly slot the ball past AIS custodian Izzo to bring the final score to 3-2.
Despite securing the three points, Brisbane Roar Youth coach John Sime said he felt there was still room for improvement in his team-s performance.
“We didn-t really create anything in the first half, but the second half was better,” he said.
“I changed things slightly at half time, changed the shape and personnel, and I-ll give the boys full credit because they worked hard, the second half especially.
“I-m very disappointed with the performance because we have set ourselves standards, and I-m not letting them drop their standards.
“Three points is three points which is good, but the performance for me has got to be better.”
Brisbane Roar 3 (Dane Milovanovic, Jacob McLean, James Meyer)
Australian Institute of Sport 2 (Adam Taggart, Melvin Becket)
Sunday 26 September
Luxury Paints Stadium, Richlands, Brisbane
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Adam Kersey
Brisbane Roar line-up: 2. Liam McCORMICK (5. Jack BOXALL 46′), 3. Alistair QUINN (14. Ross ARCHIBALD 55′), 4. Matthew BYRNE, 7. Christopher BUSH, 8. James DONACHIE, 9. Matthew THURTELL (10. Jacob McLEAN 56′), 11. Joshua McVEY, 12. Kenneth DOUGALL, 13. Dane MILOVANOVIC, 18. James MEYER, 20. Nicholas TUBBS (gk)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Matt ACTON (gk)
Yellow Cards: Dane MILOVANOVIC 80′
Red Cards: Nil
Australian Institute of Sport line-up: 10. Jake BARKER-DASH, 12. Melvin BECKET, 11. Kwabena BOAHENE (9. Aaron PETERSON 55′), 15. Corey BROWN (21. Connor CHAPMAN 24′), 19. Hernan ESPINDOLA, 8. Jason GERIA, 4. Curtis GOOD, 30. Paul IZZO (gk), 2. Jake MONACO, 18. Yianni PERKATIS (7. Jesse MAKAROUNAS 55′), 13. Adam TAGGART
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Aaron LENNOX (gk)
Yellow Cards: Adam TAGGART 78′
Red Cards: Nil
