Brisbane Roar’s season of progress and promise came to an end in the Elimination Final as Adelaide United withstood a stirring second-half fightback to prevail 2-1 on Sunday.
In front of a strong and vocal Moreton Daily Stadium crowd, the Roar halved an early two-goal deficit through Alex Parsons in the 56th minute and applied a mountain of pressure in the late stages of a nail-biting contest.
The hosts went agonisingly close to an equaliser on at least three occasions, but Tomi Juric’s quickfire first-half double ultimately proved the difference.
The result brings a close to a campaign that featured a top-four finish, memorable away wins in Sydney and Melbourne, a seven-game unbeaten streak and A-League debuts for seven young Queenslanders.
GOALS
Adelaide United – Tomi Juric 15′ – 0-1
Strain drives the ball forward from right-back. Juric controls with his chest and strokes his finish past Jamie Young in the Roar goal.
Adelaide United – Tomi Juric 19′ – 0-2
Juric produces a clever touch that enables him to streak into space on the left flank. The striker moves into the box and finishes low inside the near post.
Adelaide United – Alex Parsons 56′ – 1-2
On as a half-time substitute, Parsons gives life to the contest with a brilliant header from Corey Brown’s enticing free-kick.
MATCH DETAILS
A-League 2021 Elimination Final: Brisbane Roar vs Adelaide United
Moreton Daily Stadium, Brisbane
Sunday, 13 June
Brisbane Roar 1 (Parsons 56′)
Adelaide United 2 (Juric 15′, 19′)
