Brisbane Roar have returned to the winner’s circle courtesy of a 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
A first half double from Eric Bautheac proved decisive for the Roar as they kicked off a run of three home games with three points.
VIDEO: All the best bits from our win over the Nix
Bautheac opened the scoring in the 37th minute when he slalomed his way into the penalty area from the half way line after a one-two with Nick D’Agostino, before lifting the ball over Filip Kurto from an acute angle for a sensational solo goal.
Five minutes later he doubled the Roar’s lead when he ghosted in at the back post to turn home Dylan Wenzel-Halls cross.
Despite Wellington pulling one back shortly after the restart when Steven Taylor rose highest to nod home a Phoenix corner, the home side held on the secure a 2-1 victory.
“My overall emotion is that I’m very proud of the players. We say we were always going to keep on going until the end and tonight was an example of that,” Interim Head Coach Darren Davies post-match.
“I thought we were excellent first half and thought to be honest we should’ve scored a couple more, their keeper pulled off a world class save in the first ten minutes.”
Davies was delighted with his side’s ability to grind out a well deserved win.
“We were playing with a lot of young players out there and it was a massive learning curb for them tonight. Sometimes you can learn from losing games, but tonight we can learn from winning games as well and learning to win a game,” Davies continued.
“We had three teenagers in the starting eleven, two 21-year olds up top and then the three subs are all 21 & under as well, I’m very proud of them.”
The Roar’s focus now turns to next Saturday’s home clash against Newcastle Jets (5:35pm KO). Get your tickets HERE.
GOALS
Brisbane Roar – Bautheac 37’ – 1-0
Bautheac latches onto a stray ball and comes from deep in his own half, playing a skilful one-two with D’Agostino, before chipping Kurto to score the opener.
Brisbane Roar – Bautheac 42’ – 2-0
And the Frenchman makes it two! Wenzel-Halls sends a low cross, and Bautheac makes no mistake as he waits at the back post and slots the ball home.
Wellington Phoenix – Taylor 53’ – 2-1
The ball is whipped into the box from a Nix corner and Taylor rises high to deliver a thumping header, pulling one back for the visitors.
STORY OF THE GAME
- In his first Hyundai A-League start, Zac Duncan was part of several key attacking moves in the opening half.
- Eric Bautheac secured his first Hyundai A-League brace following his five-minute goal frenzy in the 37th and 42nd minutes.
- Brisbane appeared to take their foot off the pedal in the second half, with Taylor pulling one back for the visitors in the 53rd minute.
- The Roar finished the game strong as Lokoli Ngoy fires goalwards but is unable to direct the ball as it flies over the cross bar.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 25: Brisbane Roar FC v Wellington Phoenix
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Friday, 12 April
Brisbane Roar FC 2 (Bautheac 37’, 42’)
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Taylor 53’)
Half-Time: 2-0
