Brisbane Roar have snapped a three-game losing streak and breathed life into their Hyundai A-League finals hopes after a 3-2 win over Perth Glory on Thursday night.
In an entertaining clash at Suncorp Stadium, Glory came from behind on two occasions before substitute Brett Holman landed the killer blow 17 minutes from time.
The win pushes Roar up two spots and above Glory into seventh and is a huge boost ahead of their AFC Champions League qualifier on Tuesday night.
But the pressure is only building on Perth, who have now lost five in a row for their first time since the 2012/13 Season, having conceded 17 goals in their last five games.
See all the goals in our live Match Centre
STORY OF THE GAME
GOAL! Roar grabs the early lead through big Greek defender Avraam Papadopoulos. Great start for the hosts.
GOAL! It didn’t take Glory long to respond, with Chris Harold levelling things up eight minutes later.
REDDY’S REFLEX SAVE: It was Papadopoulos again, this time his close-range downward header kept out superbly by Liam Reddy with his feet.
END-TO-END STUFF: It was a fairly open content with both sides creating dangerous opportunities in an absorbing first 35 minutes.
ALL SQUARE AT THE BREAK: Both teams going at it and with still all to play for in the second half.
BRILLIANT SAVE FROM YOUNG: Castro again with the through-ball, this time sending Joel Chianese one-on-one with Young. And the keeper got down low to tip the shot around the post.
GOAL! On the hour mark, Ivan Franjic edges the home side back in front.
GOAL! For the second time on the night, Harold draws Glory level midway through the half.
GOAL! Glory were level for just four minutes as Holman put the home side back in front.
HUGE LET-OFF FOR GLORY: Maccarone turned one defender in the box but his shot cannoned away off the crossbar.
WOODWORK SAVES ROAR: A superb attack by Glory ends with Joseph Mills’ cross finding Castro at the far post but he could only get his attempt onto the woodwork before the ball was hacked to safety.
GOALS
Papadopoulos: Roar 4’ 1-0
Fahid Ben Khalfallah’s free-kick from the left was inadvertently flicked on by Glory defender Jeremy Walker, with Papadopoulos on hand at the far post to volley in from close range.
Harold: Glory 12’ 1-1
A brilliant defence-splitting pass from Diego Castro sent Harold clear and the pacy winger produced a composed finish past Roar gloveman Jamie Young.
Franjic: Roar 60’ 2-1
Another peach of a delivery from a free-kick by Khalfallah meaning Franjic only had to get his header on target to score and he did just that, giving Reddy no chance.
Harold: Glory 68’ 2-2
Andy Keogh just sprung the offside trap, getting near the byline and cutting it back to Harold who touched it past one defender and poking it home.
Holman: Roar 73’ 3-2
Massimo Maccarone given too much time to turn in the Glory box, laying it back to the on-rushing Brett Holman who made no mistake with an assured finish.
