Socceroos World Cup hopeful Nick D’Agostino netted in Brisbane Roar’s 2-1 loss to Central Coast Mariners.
Storm Roux was Central Coast’s unlikely hero in Redcliffe as his first Isuzu Ute A-League goal since November 2023 completed a Mariners comeback from 1-0 down.
Miguel Di Pizio’s goal in first-half stoppage time had earlier cancelled out D’Agostino’s 44th-minute opener.
The Roar have now won only one of their last seven Isuzu Ute A-League fixtures in the 2026 calendar year.
Central Coast’s fifth win of the season moved the Mariners to 19 points in 10th place, while Brisbane Roar sit eighth with 21 points after an eighth defeat of the season.
D’Agostino scored in the 44th minute but was subbed off after receiving on-field assessment by the physio for a knee concern in the 70th. He walked off under his own steam following the assessment.
D’Agostino opened the scoring with a firmly struck right-footed shot after Youstin Salas’ cross had forced a shallow clearance from Storm Roux.
But Di Pizio answered inside three minutes as he caught the Brisbane defence flat-footed with a diagonal run. The 20-year-old timed his advance perfectly to meet Lucas Mauragis’ cross from the left flank.
The second half was also slow to spring to life, with Bailey Brandtmann’s 62nd-minute strike across the face the first meaningful opportunity for either team to score.
Justin Vidic fired a shot wide in the 76th minute as he turned to shoot in a crowded penalty area. It proved to be Brisbane’s best chance to take the lead before Roux struck for Central Coast.
Roux’s left-footed shot ended a penalty-area scramble in the 79th minute after two attempted Roar clearances failed to escape the penalty area.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT THEY SAID
Player of the match Miguel Di Pizio of the Central Coast Mariners.
Central Coast Mariners coach Warren Moon.
Brisbane Roar coach Michael Valkanis.
