Two goals in two minutes late in the second half has provided Perth Glory with the perfect Christmas gift, securing a 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
Massimo Maccarone’s first half goal looked to have Roar heading towards all three points until Glory’s big guns stole the show inside the last ten minutes.
Returning skipper Andy Keogh and Spanish superstar Diego Castro both found the net to make it back-to-back wins for Glory and consolidate their spot in the Hyundai A-League top six.
STORY OF THE GAME
PRE-GAME DRAMA!: Roar defender Daniel Bowles (knee) was injured in the warm-up, with Luke DeVere drafted into the starting side just before kick-off.
CAGEY START: Neither side was able to put their stamp on the contest, with both defences rarely troubled in the first 20 minutes.
ROAR CHANCE: Roar right-back Jack Hingert delivers a brilliant ball to the far post for Nick D’Agostino to outjump his marker but his header sailed just over the bar.
GOAL: Maccarone, with the aid of a deflection, puts Roar in front seven minutes before the break.
REDDY SAVE: After Maccarone went down in the box, the loose ball fell to D’Agostino who looked certain to score only for Reddy to make himself to deflect the shot over the bar.
HALF TIME: 1-0. On chances Roar deserve their lead but not much between the two sides.
KEOGH INTRODUCED: Trying to spark his side into action, Glory boss Kenny Lowe bought the returning skipper Andy Keogh on to start the second half.
GOAL CHALKED OFF: Maccarone thought he’d doubled Roar’s lead two minutes after the resumption, only for a very tight offside call going against him.
BRAVE REDDY SAVE: The Glory gloveman put his body on the line to stop Roar doubling their lead just after the hour, copping a boot to the head which drew a bloody nose – and caused a lengthy stoppage – as both Corey Brown and Maccarone slid in to finish off a chance. Reddy was subbed off soon after.
GOAL: Keogh equalises for Glory to set up a cracking last 10 minutes.
GOAL: Castro makes in two in two minutes for the visitors. What a turnaround!
GOALS
Maccarone: Roar 38’ 1-0
A sublime ball over the top from Fahid Ben Khalfallah got the Italian in behind Glory’s defence and he fashioned some space by twisting and turning a couple of defenders. He got a shot away which deflected off the foot of Jacob Poscoliero and into the far corner of the net.
Keogh: Glory 80’ 1-1
Substitute keeper thumped a long ball forward, with Diego Castro springing the offside trap to surge towards the Roar box. The Spaniard then crossed perfectly into the path of Keogh to slot in from close range.
Castro: Glory 82’ 1-2
Left-back Joseph Mills with a brilliant run forward from just inside Roar’s half before picking out Keogh at the far post. The Irishman controlled on his chest before calmly squaring it to Castro for a simple finish.
