We look back at some of Brisbane Roar’s most memorable moments ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster semi-final against Melbourne Victory.
Brisbane Roar meets Melbourne Victory in a blockbuster semi-final on Sunday looking to qualify for an incredible third Hyundai A-League grand final appearance in four years.
We look back at some of the club’s most memorable moments over the last few seasons of the Hyundai A-League.
Erik Paartalu’s last-gasp equaliser in 2011 Grand Final
Roar looked like falling agonisingly short in the decider as they trailed 2-1 against Central Coast with time almost up in extra-time. But a corner gave them one last chance with Paartalu producing a moment that will live long in the memory for all A-League fans (except Mariners- fans of course). The towering midfielder rose highest to head home Thomas Broich’s corner to cap an astonishing comeback by the home side and send the grand final to a penalty shootout, which the Roar ultimately won.
In 2011 Roar break Australian record for most matches unbeaten
In between Roar’s back-to-back championship wins, the club embarked on an incredible unbeaten run which stands them at the forefront of Australian professional sport. Under now-Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou, Brisbane set the record for most matches without defeat when they went 36 games unbeaten, beating the record (35) of rugby league club Eastern Suburbs Roosters from the 1930s with a 4-0 demolition of Perth Glory. The incredible run spanned some 448 days from September 2010 until December of the following year.
Danny Tiatto’s howitzer against Melbourne Victory in 2009
There appeared little danger to Victory’s goal when Matt McKay picked up possession 30 metres from goal – but they didn’t bank on what Tiatto was about to produce. Racing onto McKay’s clever lay-off, the former EPL star didn’t hesitate unleashing an unstoppable strike from wide out on the left which left the home keeper grasping at air as it cannoned past him into the far corner. A thing of beauty from the Roar hardman.
Luke Brattan’s stunner to secure Premiers’ Plate in 2014
Roar looked like being forced to wait an extra week to wrap up the premiership as they were being held at 0-0 late on in their round 24 clash with Melbourne Victory. That was until stoppage time when the ball fell at the feet of midfielder Brattan 25 metres from goal. The 24-year-old took one touch before unleashing thunderbolt that nestled in the bottom corner of the net to send the Suncorp Stadium fans into raptures and secure the season’s first piece of silverware with three rounds still to play.
Paartalu’s Goal of the Year in 2011
Brisbane has scored some superb goals during their glory days of the last four seasons but not many better than that man again Erik Paartalu (currently plying his trade in the Thai League). His strike against Gold Coast United late in the 2011 campaign, at the end of a flowing team move, produced an audacious left-foot volley while on the run that was struck perfectly to fly into the far top corner of the net. The stunning strike was voted the A-League’s best goal for the season on the way to a double-winning campaign for the club.
Hyundai A-League 2014 Semi Final 1
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sunday 27 April 2014
Kick-off 5.00pm (AEST)
