A 10-man Brisbane Roar withstood waves of Adelaide United pressure to secure a gritty 2-1 win at Coopers Stadium on Saturday.
The Reds were unable to fully capitalise on Matt McKay’s sending off at the end of the first half as George Blackwood’s 69th-minute strike proved a mere consolation.
Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Massimo Maccarone had earlier scored against the run of play to give the away side a shock two-goal lead.
And they held on despite McKay’s dismissal to record a much-needed third win of the season, leaving Adelaide outside the top four.
STORY OF THE GAME
- Adelaide completely dominated the opening 20 minutes, with Corey Brown’s vital block denying Nathan Konstandopoulos the opener.
- But against the run of play, Brisbane made the breakthrough as Ben Khalfallah pounced on Isaias’ error.
- Roar remained on the back foot and were given another reprieve when Konstandopoulos finished the wrong side of the post.
- And they made the Reds pay for again coughing up possession, Maccarone tucking away Ben Khalfallah’s pass.
- However, the visitors’ advantage was undermined on the edge of half-time as captain McKay was shown a straight red for kicking out at Mileusnic.
- The crossbar prevented substitute Michael Marrone from cutting the deficit with a left-footed curler and Ryan Kitto blazed over on the follow-up.
- Blackwood did pull one back to set up a grandstand final 20 minutes, but Brisbane negotiated the nervy final moments to claim three points.
GOALS
Ben Khalfallah, Brisbane Roar 33′: 0-1
Isaias miscontrolled Jordan Elsey’s pass and opened the door to Ben Khalfallah, who nicked it off his toe and rounded Paul Izzo before finishing into an empty net.
Maccarone, Brisbane Roar 45′: 0-2
Ben Khalfallah robbed Konstandopoulos and immediately released Maccarone, who delicately dinked his finish inside the far post.
Blackwood, Adelaide United 69′: 1-2
Mileusnic was freed in behind by a kind deflection. His finish from a narrow angle was deflected off the line to Blackwood, who tapped into an empty net.
