Young Roar’s best ever Kappa Pro Series campaign came to an end at the Semi Final stage with a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Lions FC at Meakin Park on Sunday afternoon.
After Lions took the lead through Luke Broderick, goals from Asim Sehovic and David Russell had Roar in front at the break before the visitors fought back to prevail 3-2 courtesy of a late Andy Pengelly brace.
The visitors came within inches of an early opener when Alex Fiechtner forced a turnover deep in Roar territory before rifling an effort against the woodwork in the 2nd minute.
Both sides threatened in the following minutes, with neither Russell or Pengelly able to get the purchase required on a pair of close range efforts at either end of the park.
It was Lions who drew first blood through Broderick in the 30th minute, when the former Young Roar forward broke free down the right flank before slamming a finish into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
Seven minutes later Roar equalised through Sehovic, who rose highest to meet a Noah Maieroni corner and sent a booming header into the back of the net.
Just a minute later Russell put Roar ahead when he sent a looping header past Cardiff Pond after being picked out by a deft James Durrington cross.
Lions struck the woodwork twice inside the opening minutes of the second stanza – firstly through Mitch Hore, who fired an effort against the post from a tight angle after being played in by a Jack Skinner backheel in the 54th minute before Tommy Jarrard sent a header crashing against the upright on the end of a Joe Duckworth free-kick moments later.
Pengelly levelled the scores in the 73rd minute when he pounced onto a loose ball inside the area and blasted a first-time finish past George Plusnin.
Lions number nine then scored the matchwinner in the 83rd minute with a finish from close range after being played in by Hore.
Lions 3-2 victory means they will face Moreton City Excelsior in the 2025 Kappa Pro Series Final.
Next up for Young Roar is a return to NPL Queensland action with a clash against Eastern Suburbs at Meakin Park on Sunday, July 6.
MATCH DETAILS
Kappa Pro Series Men 2025 – Semi Final: Brisbane Roar v Lions FC
Meakin Park, Slacks Creek
Sunday, 29 June
Brisbane Roar – 2 (Asim SEHOVIC 37’, David RUSSELL 39’)
Lions FC – 3 (Luke BRODERICK 30’, Andy PENGELLY 73’ 83’)
