A ten-man Brisbane Roar outfit has come from behind to record an important 2-1 victory over Melbourne Heart at Suncorp Stadium tonight.
A ten-man Brisbane Roar outfit has come from behind to record an important 2-1 victory over Melbourne Heart at Suncorp Stadium tonight.
After Besart Berisha was sent off for the third time this season with the scores locked at 1-1, Brisbane dominated proceedings and found the winner through lively substitute Henrique.
The Heart could have been 3-0 up inside 15 minutes, first former Roar player David Williams putting a golden opportunity wide before Kisnorbo hit the post and goalkeeper Michael Theo pulled off a smart save to deny Williams.
After some superb ball work from Massimo Murdocca, Dugandzic laid the ball off for Aziz Behich to score the deserved opener in the 16th minute, sparking Brisbane into a strong first half finish.
A clever switch of play from playmaker Thomas Broich found Dimi Petratos in space, the quick-footed winger playing a one-two with captain Matt Smith before slotting past Velaphi to level the score ten minutes before the break.
Five minutes after the restart, the Roar was down to ten men after Berisha was sent off by referee Chris Beath for what was deemed as serious foul play.
The Albanian striker was put through on goal by well-timed pass from Liam Miller and after making contact with the ball, his foot also made contact with Heart goalkeeper Tando Velaphi.
The decision seemed to give Brisbane extra spark and Henrique waited just three minutes after his 70th minute introduction to give the home side the lead for the first time in the match.
Petratos flicked the ball wide to Matt McKay who crossed the ball to Henrique – the little Brazilian curling the ball past Velaphi before falling to his knees in relief.
The win puts Brisbane 13 points clear at the top of the Hyundai A-League ladder with the rest of Round 25 still to play.
Brisbane Roar 2 (Dimitri PETRATOS 36-, HENRIQUE 73-)
Melbourne Heart 1 (Aziz BEHICH 18-)
Friday, 28 March 2014
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 7pm local time
Referee: Chris Beath
Crowd: 10, 101
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEO (gk), 2. Matthew SMITH (c), 7. Besart BERISHA, 8. Steven LUSTICA, 11. Liam MILLER (10. HENRIQUE 70-), 13. Jade NORTH, 17. Matthew McKAY, 19. Jack HINGERT, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Dimitri PETRATOS
Substitutes not used: 3. Shane STEFANUTTO, 15. James DONACHIE, 16. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 20. Matthew ACTON (gk)
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Besart BERISHA 49-
Melbourne Heart: 3. Robbie WIELAERT (c) (6. Patrick GERHARDT 80-), 4. Orlando ENGELAAR (22. Nick KALMAR 65-), 7. Iain RAMSAY (21. Stefan MAUK 75-), 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 15. David WILLIAMS, 16. Aziz BEHICH, 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 19. Benjamin GARUCCIO, 20. Tando VELAPHI (gk), 23. Mate DUGANDZIC, 24. Patrick KISNORBO
Substitutes not used: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 28. Paulo RETRE
Yellow cards: Robbie WIELAERT 53-, Stefan MAUK 90-
Red cards: Nil
