Brisbane Roar breathed fresh life into their campaign with a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
Massimo Maccarone and substitute Ivan Franjic combined for a pair of fabulous left-footed goals either side of half-time to secure Roar’s second win of the campaign and first in eight road trips.
The two fine finishes compounded a worrying afternoon for Josep Gombau, who lost Oriol Riera and Jaushua Sotirio to injury in Wanderers’ seventh straight match without a win.
STORY OF THE GAME
- Oriol Riera headed the wrong side of the near post with the game’s first chance and next fired wide off his left foot.
- Wanderers encountered injury troubles with Oriol Riera and Jaushua Sotirio both forced off by injury problems.
- Brisbane grew in confidence and snatched the lead right on half-time through Maccarone.
- Chances remained scant after the restart until Franjic conjured a superb goal less than a minute after being introduced.
- Western Sydney had earlier threatened on occasion, but the second goal appeared to suck the life out of any potential comeback.
GOALS
Maccarone, Brisbane Roar 45′: 0-1
Nick D’Agostino and Eric Bautheac won key headers on the edge of the area and Maccarone crashed in a thumping left-footed finish on the turn.
Franjic, Brisbane Roar 66′: 0-2
Receiving the ball on the right of the penalty area, Franjic shifted the ball onto his left foot and curled a wonderful strike into the top far corner.
