Mensur Kurtishi’s first Hyundai A-League goal and a wonder strike from Henrique was not enough for Brisbane Roar to secure their first win of the Hyundai A-League season, losing 3-2 today to Perth Glory at nib Stadium.
The reigning Hyundai A-League Champions opened the scoring just prior to the half-time break via striker Kurtishi before conceding a penalty, which was converted by Andy Keogh, minutes into the second half.
Henrique looked to put them in the box seat with a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area in the 55th minute before an unlucky own goal and a heart-breaking injury time header from Keogh sealed the result.
Chances were few and far between in the opening half, Mike Mulvey’s Brisbane side content to build on their possession and push forward as the match allowed and their break in front of goal finally came in the 39th minute.
A clever long-range ball from Steven Lustica found Henrique on the right wing, the tricky Brazilian playing the ball across goal for Kurtishi to tap in.
In the 49th minute, referee Shaun Evans judged Jade North fouled Andy Keogh inside the penalty area and the Republic of Ireland international sent Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young the wrong way from the spot to level the scores.
Brisbane restored their one goal advantage soon after when Thomas Broich played the ball wide to Henrique who looked up, saw an opportunity and smashed the powerful shot past Danny Vukovic in the Glory goal from the edge of the penalty box.
Despite the Roar’s best efforts to push forward, including the introduction of attacking pair Jean Carlos Solorzano and Kofi Danning, it was the home side who equalised and then took the lead in the match’s later stages.
Keogh’s 78th minute effort close to goal was deflected past Young before the Glory striker popped up in second half stoppage time to head home Perth’s winning goal from a corner.
Brisbane Roar now has a short turnaround, hosting Sydney FC in Round 3 this Friday, 24 October at Suncorp Stadium.
Perth Glory 3 (Andy KEOGH 49p’, 90+2’, own goal 78’)
Brisbane Roar 2 (Mensur KURTISHI 39’, HENRIQUE 55’)
Hyundai A-League Round 2 2014/15 season
Sunday, 19 October at nib Stadium, Perth
Referee: Shaun Evans
Perth Glory: 1. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 5. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 6. Dino DJULBIC, 7. Youssouf HERSI, 9. Andy KEOGH, 10. Nebojsa MARINKOVIC (15. Jamie MACLAREN 46’), 11. Richard GARCIA, 17. Mitch NICOLS, 19. Joshua RISDON (13. Diogo FERREIRA 83’), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 23. Michael THWAITE (c)
Substitutes not used: 3. Brandon O’NEILL, 30. Jordan THURTELL (gk)
Yellow cards: Richard GARCIA 66’, Andy KEOGH 86’
Red cards: Nil
Brisbane Roar: 2. Matthew SMITH (c), 3. Shane STEFANUTTO, 7. Mensur KURTISHI (12. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO 77’), 8. Steven LUSTICA, 10. HENRIQUE (20. Kofi DANNING 87’), 13. Jade NORTH (19. Jack HINGERT 79’), 15. James DONACHIE, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 21. Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Dimitri PETRATOS
Substitutes not used: 11. Liam MILLER, 30. Matthew ACTON (gk)
Yellow cards: Thomas BROICH 43, Jade NORTH 49’, Luke BRATTAN 90’
Red cards: Nil
