A dramatic 93rd-minute Macarthur Bulls own goal salvaged a 4-4 draw for Brisbane Roar, who avoided a fifth consecutive defeat to start the Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Valere Germain’s 83rd-minute header looked to have secured an incredible comeback for the Bulls but a Tomislav Uskok own goal in the third minute of stoppage time prevented the Roar from becoming the first team in the history of the competition to lose five matches to start a season.
Brisbane had led 2-0 at Campbelltown Stadium thanks to a Thomas Waddingham double and 3-2 via an own goal before Macarthur turned the match on its head once more – first substitute Daniel De Silva scored following a delightful team move in the 79th minute and then captain Germain put the home side ahead four minutes later.
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But after Uskok had scored at one end, the Bulls defender unfortunately turned the ball past his own goalkeeper as Brisbane rescued a point at the death.
“What a game. Why we love this league and why we keep coming to watch it and keep pumping it up,” said former A-Leagues star and Network 10 pundit Roy O’Donovan.
“Terrific game. Terrific entertainment.”
“It had the three of us on the edge of our seat,” added Sydney FC legend Alex Brosque.
As a result, Macarthur are seventh and eight points off the pace, while Brisbane remain bottom of the standings but have their first point of the campaign in Round 6.
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Rafael Struick made his first A-Leagues start for Brisbane, who burst out of the blocks in Campbelltown.
Within five minutes of the match kicking off, the Roar were ahead thanks to Waddingham – who was on hand to smash home a rebound from close range.
There was plenty of niggle in the match as Macarthur boss Mile Sterjovski was shown a yellow card on the sideline.
Struick had a great chance to double Brisbane’s lead in the 25th minute but the Indonesian star wasted a gilt-edged opportunity after his heavy touch allowed Filip Kurto to collect the ball, having been through on goal.
But Waddingham bagged his second of the game five minutes later to spare his team-mate’s bushes after breaking the offside trap and curling the ball beyond Kurto.
There was a lifeline for Macarthur on the stroke of half-time after Kealey Adamson’s volley took a wicked deflection into the back of the net.
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Macarthur were level six minutes into the second half when Uskok headed home the equaliser after Walter Scott’s effort was brilliantly saved by Macklin Freke.
Just as the Bulls had all the momentum, Brisbane stunned the home side as they regained the lead in the 67th minute via a Arslanagic own goal that wrong-footed Kurto.
The topsy-turvy content continued after Macarthur’s De Silva came off the bench to equalise with a a stunning side-footed volley 11 minutes from the end – capping a delightful team move initiated by Jake Hollman’s brilliant turn.
“Let’s bottle that and replay it and send it around all the clubs in Australia,” said Network 10 co-commentator Andy Harper.
Macarthur’s comeback was complete four minutes later after Germain directed a bullet header past Freke in the 83rd minute.
