A sublime hat-trick to Henrique has inspired Brisbane Roar to their first win of the Hyundai A-League season, beating Newcastle Jets 4-0 at Hunter Stadium tonight.
The little Brazilian was a first half substitute, coming on for Jean Carlos Solorzano ten minutes before the break after the lively striker was withdrawn with a shoulder injury.
He scored all three of his goals after the break and also provided the assist to Steve Lustica’s 66th minute goal. Â
Head Coach Mike Mulvey made three changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Melbourne City last weekend, bringing Daniel Bowles into the right back position in the absence of James Donachie (Olyroos) and Jack Hingert (knee injury) with Solorzano and Brandon Borrello starting up front either side of Thomas Broich.
Borrello, handed his Hyundai A-League start of his career, came closes to opening the scoring on the half hour mark as Dimi Petratos played a clever chip over the top but the young striker’s first touch was too heavy, allowing Jets ‘keeper Mark Birghitti to smother the chance.
After a goalless first half, Henrique had his first of the night four minutes after the break with Luke Brattan playing a superb ball wide to Shane Stefanutto – the left-back provided the Henrique with a well-weighted cross that was easily tapped into the back of the net.
Two golden chances for Brisbane to double their lead went begging soon after, first Borrello shooting straight at Birighitti once more when an inviting ball was played over the top before Birighitti denied Petratos from the penalty spot just after the hour mark following Ben Kantarovksi’s mistimed tackle on Thomas Broich.
But the Roar were in control and made in 2-0 in the 66th minute, Henrique playing a clever one-two with Lustica to allow the midfielder to slot home between the pressure of two Jets defenders.
Cutting inside Taylor Regan, Henrique scored his impressive second twenty minutes from full time from just outside the penalty area before terrorising the same defender and shooting on target to make it 4-0 in the 89th minute.
Brisbane Roar jump into seventh place on the Hyundai A-League ladder with four matches still to play in Round 6. The club’s next fixture is next Friday, 21 November against Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium.
Newcastle Jets 0
Brisbane Roar 4 (HENRIQUE 49’, 72’, 89’, Steven LUSTICA 66’)
Hyundai A-League Round 6 2014/15 season
Friday, 14 November at Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Referee: Alan Milliner
Newcastle Jets: 1. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 3. Taylor REGAN, 4. Kew JALIENS (c), 5. Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6. Adrian MADASCHI, 8. Zenon CARAVELLA (17. James VIRGILI 56’), 9. Joel GRIFFITHS (7. Jeronimo NEUMANN 68’), 12. Sam GALLAGHER, 13. Edson MONTANO, 14. Billy CELESKI (18. Allan WELSH 64’), 23. David CARNEY
Substitutes: 10. Marcos FLORES, 20. Ben KENNEDY (gk).
Yellow cards: Taylor REGAN 16’, Ben KANTAROVSKI 46’, Kew JALIENS 61’
Red cards: Nil
Brisbane Roar: 2. Matthew SMITH (c), 3. Shane STEFANUTTO, 8. Steven LUSTICA, 12. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (10. HENRIQUE 36’), 13. Jade NORTH, 14. Daniel BOWLES, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 21. Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Dimitri PETRATOS (7. Mensur KURTISHI 82’), 28. Brandon BORRELLO (34. Shannon BRADY 81’)
Substitutes not used: 16. Devante CLUT, 30. Matthew ACTON (gk)
Yellow cards: Thomas BROICH 58’
Red cards: Nil
