A first goal for Archie Goodwin lifted Adelaide United to an impressive win over Brisbane Roar in Unite Round as Carl Veart’s side twice came from behind to win 3-2 at Allianz Stadium.
Brisbane took the lead after just five minutes in Saturday’s Isuzu UTE A-League clash, with Keegan Jelacic firing the Roar in front from the edge of the area before Adelaide then equalised through Stefan Mauk.
Dutch defender Bart Vriends was then penalised on the approach to half-time, bringing down Thomas Waddingham inside the box and Roar captain Jay O’Shea duly converted the spot-kick to put his side back into the lead.
Adelaide weren’t behind for long though, restoring parity just 35 seconds into the second half with Zac Clough firing the ball home via a deflection.
The Reds then took a deserved lead in the 62nd minute as Archie Goodwin tapped home his first goal for the club after he was picked out inside the box by a perfect pass from full-back Dylan Pierias.
The result means the Reds remain undefeated this season after recording their third victory from four games while defeat means the Roar remain bottom of the ladder having lost all four of their matches.
The Roar started brightly at Allianz Stadium and took the lead in just the fifth minute thanks to a brilliant curling effort from Jelacic.
Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, Jelacic bent a unstoppable strike into the far corner beyond the despairing dive of Adelaide keeper James Delianov to give his side a deserved lead.
Brisbane defender Ben Warland then went into the book in the 22nd minute after catching former Adelaide teammate Mauk high around the neck, incensing both the Adelaide man and his team-mates for what they perceived to be a cynical foul.
By far the more dominant side, Brisbane midfielder Joe Caletti then blazed a good chance over the bar in the 23rd minute as Ruben Zadkovich’s side continued to force turnovers in dangerous areas.
Roar keeper Macklin Freke was finally called into action in the 30th minute, getting down low to save a tame effort from Adelaide winger Austin Ayoubi and, somewhat against the run of play, the equaliser would soon follow.
Looking to play into midfield, Brisbane’s Hosine Bility was robbed of the ball by Ayoubi who then drove towards the box, drilled a low cross into the area which fell kindly at the feet of Mauk who did the rest, coolly side-footing home the leveller.
Despite the tide beginning to turn in Adelaide’s favour Brisbane soon found themselves in front; experienced Dutch defender Vriends hauled down striker Thomas Waddingham inside the box and Roar captain Jay O’Shea did the rest from the spot, sending Delianov the wrong way to make it 2-1 before half-time.
Reds boss Carl Veart made two changes at the break bringing on both Goodwin and Ben Folami and the latter had an immediate impact.
Driving down the left, Folami picked out Clough at the back post with a pinpoint cross and while the Englishman’s first effort was blocked his second, a drilled strike towards goal, cannoned off the knee of Mauk and into the net to make it 2-2 – the goal eventually given to Clough.
Hunting his second and Adelaide’s third, Mauk wasted a glorious opportunity to put his side in front after blazing an effort high over the bar after Roar keeper Freke had spilled a high ball inside the box.
With Folami having already had the desired impact, fellow sub Goodwin then got in on the act in the 62nd minute; charging clear of the Brisbane backline and subsequently tapping home from close range after he was picked out inside the box by a galloping Pierias.
Desperately chasing an equaliser, Brisbane began to throw numbers forward and came close in the 85th minute but substitute Florin Berenguer could only head over the bar.
Adelaide then thought they had a penalty awarded late in the game however referee Alex King subsequently overturned his decision upon VAR review, sighting Reds substitute Jonny Yull as having tripped himself via an accidental collision with Bility.
