Despite their best efforts, Brisbane Roar went down to Adelaide United 2 – 1 at Coopers Stadium on Saturday evening in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Adelaide United’s Louis D’Arrigo struck first with a goal outside the 18-yard box in the 35th minute, seeing two cruel deflections beating Kai Trewin and Tom Aldred to give the Reds the lead.
Although that lead did not last for long, Brisbane quickly responded just two minutes later with a corner from Carlo Armiento meeting Joe Knowles for a tap-in at the near post to level the playing field 1-1.
This marks the first time Knowles has scored since 2017 and his first while playing for the Roar.
A controversial disallowed goal for Brisbane’s Armiento turned to the VAR after a slight altercation in the box between Joe Knowles and Adelaide’s keeper, Joe Gauci.
A three-minute VAR decision followed, with the decision that Knowles had impeded Joe Gauci’s ability to catch the ball.
Aldred was impressive in defense making a goal-saving tackle in the 65th minute, only to do it again moments later.
Just after coming onto the pitch, Adelaide’s Nestory Irankunda secured the victory for the Reds after an intimidating run pas Connor Chapman, followed by a powerful shot at the near post to secure Adelaide the win in the 82nd minute.
In the fifth minute of added time, Scott Neville grazed the cross bar in a last attempt to avoid defeat but was unsuccessful.
Adelaide is yet to lose a game in which they have scored the first goal, and this match proved no different.
Post-match, Armiento described the VAR call as “embarrassing” and believes it should have been a goal.
“I think it’s disappointing, we had a game-plan we stuck to it. I honestly think we should’ve had the three-points. Should be a goal, but what can you do, that was the decision and now we have to move on,” the forward said.
“It is tough, especially after we came off a 4-0 defeat. The boys will be hurting.”
Brisbane Roar Head Coach is undoubtedly disappointed with the loss and believes the performance put in by his squad deserved a better outcome.
“We’re disappointed. First and foremost, the performance warranted more than what we got tonight. Apart from the first ten minutes, we came, and we created plenty of chances – more than they did. We’ve hit the bar, we’ve had some strange decisions tonight,” Moon said.
Moon disagrees with the VAR call, deeming it incorrect after he believes there was no contact with the keeper, on Armiento’s corner.
“That player has got two hands to catch the ball with gloves and they think its contact, that’s not contact. Anyone who’s played the game knows it’s not contact so we’re really disappointed.”
“Our boys gave everything tonight; we’ll look at the game as a whole and we’ll build from that,” he added.
“We’ve still got plenty to fight for, we can put wins together, I know we can. We’ll go back regroup and be ready for Central Coast.”
The Brisbane Roar will look forward to their match-up with the Central Coast Mariners at home next Friday night, at Kayo Stadium.
