Three second half goals has led the Young Roar to an incredible come-from-behind victory in the side’s opening Foxtel National Youth League clash against Melbourne Victory.
Goals from Shannon Brady, Nicholas D’Agostino and Dane Ingham completed an incredible turnaround for the Roar, securing a point after the three points seemed destined to return to Melbourne with the Victory.
Head Coach James Robinson says he couldn’t be more proud of the character shown by his side.
“That’s what we represent as Brisbane Roar – we play right until the very end and we’ll always create chances,” he said.
“The squad showed great character, resistance and a never-say-die attitude.
“Overall, there’s pieces that we know we need to improve on but I’m extremely pleased with the character and we showed what we’re about.”
The Young Roar trailed 2-0 within 10 minutes before a third goal for the visitors appeared to have the Victory in cruise control at the break.
The hosts dominated possession and territory in the opening period but were unable to trouble the Victory goal and will rue defensive lapses.
In sweltering conditions which required the players to have drinks breaks during each half, the Roar dominated the second half.
Brady opened the Roar’s account after 52 minutes, assisted by D’Agostino before the pair switched roles as D’Agostino cut the margin to one goal 14 minutes later.
D’Agostino then had the chance to restore parity from the penalty spot, but his attempt was saved by keeper Stephen Hatzikourtis.
Dane Ingham (below) buried a superb a finish with 15 minutes to go. The Young Roar continued to pile the pressure on the Victory defence, but were unable to find a fourth goal.
Key Moments
3’: GOAL VICTORY: Pierce Waring receives the ball at the top of the area, beats the last defender and finishes low across the face of goal into the bottom left corner. 0-1
8’: GOAL VICTORY: A turnover at the back from the Young Roar sees Lucas Derrick through one-on-one with Andre Jannese. Derrick breaks into the area, shoots from the penalty spot into the bottom right corner. 0-2
13’: YELLOW CARD VICTORY: Great pressure from Nick D’Agostino wins him possession and he speeds off towards goal before being brought down at the top of the box by James Xydias. The Victory player earns a caution from referee Daniel Olson.
19’: YELLOW CARD ROAR: Christian Theoharous breaks towards the top of the penalty area before Nicholas Panetta slides in from the side and earns a booking
28’: CHANCE ROAR: Nick D’Agostino picks up the ball on the right wing and breaks into open space ahead of him before driving a shot straight at Victory keeper Stephen Hatzikourtis.
44’: GOAL VICTORY: The Young Roar concede possession in their own half and Victory pounce. Substitute Aleksandar Stanisavljveic breaks into, cuts inside and opens up to shoot on his right boot. Jannese gets a hand to the shot but is unable to keep it out. 0-3
52’: GOAL ROAR: D’Agostino is found in space on the right wing and cuts back from the by-line beautifully for Shannon Brady (below) who finishes from the penalty spot. 1-3
66’: GOAL ROAR: Brady is released on the right wing from defence and it’s 2-on-2 ahead of him. He splits the Victory defenders and finds D’Agostino who, despite his first touch taking him away from goal, finishes with side-footed volley from 15m out. 2-3
70’: PENALTY ROAR: D’Agostino is found behind the Victory line with an incredible through ball and beats Hatzikourtis to the ball before being brought down. The keeper receives a yellow card but redeems himself moments later, saving D’Agostino’s penalty.
71’: YELLOW CARD ROAR: Cameron Crestani fouls Pierce Waring on the left wing and earns a yellow card for the challenge.
73’: YELLOW CARD ROAR: Joe Caletti picks up a yellow card for a late challenge in midfield.
76’: GOAL ROAR: Kye Rowles does terrifically well to win the ball in midifield before beating a defender out wide and crossing low into the area. Nicholas Panetta cleverly lets the ball run to Dane Ingham who finishes in the top left corner. 3-3
80’: YELLOW CARD VICTORY: Panetta (below) turns Andrew Visciglio beautifully and the Victory player is forced to bring him down, earning a caution.
86’: CHANCE ROAR: Panetta cuts inside onto his right foot and looks to find the top corner at the near post, drawing a great save out of Hatzikourtis.
Quote Unquote
Brisbane Roar Head Coach JAMES ROBINSON: “We created a hosts of chances which was very pleasing.
“It’s a building phase, we know where we’re at. That’s the first competitive game for us since the last NPL game in August.
“It opened up a bit more for us after the break. They were sitting off and we knew we had to shift them.
“For the Victory coming up from Melbourne and having to play at our intensity in these circumstances, we knew we just had to be patient and just keep trying to move them because the opportunities would come.
“When you create so many opportunities, you know you’re not far off from winning. I’m really pleased to see the opportunities and seeing that what we’re practicing is coming into the game.”
What’s Next?
The Young Roar travel to Ashfield Sports Reserve to face Perth Glory on Sunday, 20 November (12:30pm KO QLD time), followed by a bye and then consecutive home fixtures against Melbourne City (December 3) and Adelaide United (December 10).
Match Stats
Foxtel National Youth League Round 1, Brisbane Roar FC Youth v Melbourne Victory FC Youth, Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Saturday, 12 November
Brisbane Roar FC Youth 3 (Brady 52’, D’Agostino 66’, Ingham 75’)
Melbourne Victory Youth 3 (Waring 3’, Derrick 8’, Stanisavljevic 44’)
Half-time: 0-3
Brisbane Roar FC Youth: 1.Andre JANNESE (gk), 5.Cameron CRESTANI (c), 6.Joe CALETTI (16.Daniel DRIVER 82’), 8.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 10.Nicholas PANETTA, 13.Connor O’TOOLE, 14.Dane INGHAM, 15.Shannon BRADY (9.Harrison SAWYER 75’),17.Joe DUCKWORTH (2.Mark RODIC 46’), 21.Kye ROWLES, 22.Nicholas D’AGOSTINO (below)
Unused substitutes: 20.Tomislav BILIC (gk)
Yellow cards: Nicholas PANETTA 19’, Cameron CRESTANI 71’, Joe CALETTI 73’
Red cards: Nil
Melbourne Victory Youth: 3.Callum GOULDING, 6.Joshua CAVALLO, 7.Christian THEOHAROUS (17.Aleksandar STANISAVLJEVIC 29’), 8.Benjamin CARRIGAN, 9.Pierce WARING, 11.Lucas DERRICK (2.Jonathan VAKIRTZIS 59’), 13.Cameron MCGLIP (c), 14.Nicholas SETTE (18.Brady QUINN 87’), 16.Andrew VISCIGLIO, 19.James XYDIAS, 20.Stephen HATZIKOURTIS (gk)
Unused substitutes: 1.Lucas SPINELLA (gk)
Yellow cards: James XYDIAS 13’, Stephen HATZIKOURTIS 70’, Andrew VISCIGLIO 80’
Red cards: Nil
Referee: Daniel Olson; Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Mooney; Assistant Referee 2: Albert Krause; Fourth Official: Cameron Fawcett