Brisbane Roar has suffered a narrow defeat in a fast-paced and frenetic clash against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium.
The Reds took a 2-0 lead shortly after half-time, before Henrique set up a grandstand finish with the Roar coming ever so close to securing a point away from home.
Head Coach John Aloisi said his side deserved more after a second period in which the Roar dominated chances and finished the stronger of the two sides.
“We created a couple of good openings in the first half. I thought we dominated the second half and we deserved more out of the game but it wasn’t to be,” Aloisi said.
The Roar started positively with Frenchman Eric Bautheac getting in some early touches, and whipping in some dangerous balls from the right wing – one of which almost brought about an early goal.
Adelaide had arguably the best chance of the opening 25 minutes when Ben Halloran forced Jamie Young into a terrific reaction save. That opportunity was outdone just moments later up the other end however, as Adam Taggart broke into space behind the Reds defence & beat Paul Izzo, only to be denied by the upright.
The hosts were then themselves denied by the upright before a bit of deja vu as Taggart was again denied down the other end, this time by Izzo in what would be the striker’s final contribution for the evening.
A cutback from Craig Goodwin and a deft finish from Ben Halloran had the hosts ahead in the shadows of half-time following a flurry of chances at both ends of the park.
Halloran then doubled the Reds lead minutes after the restart, being the first to react to a parried shot from Young to tap in from close range.
Dylan Wenzel-Halls was brought on for his second Hyundai A-League appearance shortly before the hour mark in place of Bautheac and the young gun made an immediate impact, sliding a ball across the face for Henrique, who marked his 150th BRFC Hyundai A-League appearance with a goal to cut the deficit in half.
A second yellow card for Taylor Regan saw the home side play out the final 15 minutes with 10-men with the Roar banging the door down in search of a late equaliser.
In late drama at Coopers Stadium, Stefan Mauk was also shown a red card in a frenetic ending with the Reds holding on to to their lead until the final whistle.
Young gun Wenzel-Halls was stoked to play a key part in the Roar’s goal.
“My job was to go into the game and try score or set-up a goal. I enjoyed being out there, it’s what we live for as footballers,” Wenzel-Halls said.
The Roar are back on the road next Sunday afternoon to McDonald Jones Stadium to face the Jets (4pm KO QLD time).
STORY OF THE GAME
- Both Ben Halloran and Adam Taggart missed golden opportunities to open the scoring in quick succession partway through the first half, with the latter hitting the post.
- Adam Taggart was forced off late in the first half and was replaced by Henrique for his 150th Brisbane Roar appearance. Eric Bautheac was also substituted with a leg complaint, shortly after the Reds doubled their lead early in the second stanza.
- In just his second Hyundai A-League appearance, Dylan Wenzel-Halls provided an assist for Henrique with a tick over 20 minutes to play.
GOALS
Adelaide United – Halloran 43′ – 1-0
Craig Goodwin is played in behind the Roar defence and finds Ben Halloran with a cut back to the penalty spot, which Halloran side-foots past Jamie Young.
Adelaide United – Halloran 49′ – 2-0
Ryan Kitto slides a dangerous ball across the face which is parried back into the path of Halloran who taps home from point-blank range.
Brisbane Roar – Henrique 67′ – 2-1
Dylan Wenzel-Halls plays a pin-point ball to the back post which is met by Henrique who coolly finishes and cuts the deficit to a single goal.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 6: Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Friday, 30 November
Adelaide United 2 (Halloran 43′, 49′)
Brisbane Roar 1 (Henrique 67′)
Half-time: 1-0
