Adelaide United have run out 5-3 winners over Brisbane Roar in an entertaining affair at Suncorp Stadium in a historic ANZAC Day Hyundai A-League clash.
Goals from Dylan Wenzel-Halls, Nicholas D’Agostino and Eric Bautheac weren’t enough as United came from behind to take the points on ANZAC Day.
Interim Head Coach Darren Davies thanked the Brisbane faithful for a strong turnout to support their boys in orange.
“the fans really turned out today, it was a great atmosphere. They lifted the boys & they turned out to welcome the new boss, support the boys and farewell a number of our players including a couple of heroes,” Davies said post-match.
“The season is over & now we can play a way forward.”
The visitors took an early lead when Nikola Mileusnic headed home Ryan Kitto’s cross at the back post in the fourth minute.
Wenzel-Halls levelled the scores midway through the first half when he fired the ball into an empty net after Paul Izzo could only parry Matt McKay’s initial effort.
D’Agostino then put the home side ahead on the stroke of half time with a powerful header after being picked out by Eric Bautheac.
Adelaide pulled a goal back shortly after the restart when Craig Goodwin squared to George Blackwood who made no mistake from close range.
It took just ten minutes for Roar to regain their lead through Bautheac who converted a classy penalty after D’Agostino was brought down inside the area by Izzo.
But the Reds fought back with goals from Craig Goodwin, Baba Diawara and Isaias in the final 20 minutes to run out 5-3 victors.
Speaking post-match, Roar forward Nicholas D’Agostino says the Brisbane fighting spirit was on display in the first half to overturn an early deficit.
said his side were frustrated not to take more from the game.
“We didn’t start the best in the first five minutes we conceded, but the boys fought really well towards the end of that first half to get two back and lead at the half.
“We had a good talk at half-time but came out just didn’t get the job done in the second half.”
D’Agostino who scored his maiden goal of the 2018/19 Hyundai A-League season said his side would continue to work hard as the focus turns to next season.
“We just keep on training stay fit, make sure when we’re back, we’re fit and ready to go.”
GOALS
Adelaide United – Mileusnic 4’ – 0-1
Kitto crosses it to Mileusnic who heads it past Jamie Young at the back post to put the visitors in front early
Brisbane Roar FC – Wenzel-Halls 35’ – 1-1
Wenzel-Halls fires home after Izzo could only parry McKay’s initial effort.
Brisbane Roar FC – D’Agostino 50’ – 2-1
D’Agostino blasts home a header after being picked out by an Eric Bautheac cross.
Adelaide United – Blackwood 51’– 2-2
Goodwin shakes his defender and squares to Blackwood who finishes from close range, to level the scores.
Brisbane Roar FC – Bautheac 61’ – 3-2
Bautheac sends Izzo the wrong way with a panenka penalty after D’Agostino was brought down by the Adelaide shot stopper inside the area.
Adelaide United – Goodwin 71’ – 3-3
Goodwin beats several defenders before blasting an effort into the back of the net from inside the area.
Adelaide United – Diawara 76’ – 3-4
Diawara converts Galloway’s cross to put Adelaide back in front.
Adelaide United– Isaias 86’ – 3-5
Isaias beats his marker before finishing from a tight angle to round out the scoring at Suncorp Stadium.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/2019 – Round 27: Brisbane Roar FC v Adelaide United
Suncorp Stadium
Thursday, 25 April
Brisbane Roar FC 3 (Wenzel-Halls 35’, D’Agostino 50’, Bautheac 61’)
Adelaide United 5 (Mileusnic 4’, Blackwood 51’, Goodwin 71’, Diawara 76’, Isaias 86’)
Half time score: 2-1
Attendance: 11,790
