Brad Inman scored another crucial goal to breathe new life into Brisbane Roar’s season and defeat Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 on New Year’s Day.
The Australian midfielder struck a 61st minute match-winner to earn Robbie Fowler’s side the points after Scott Neville had earlier cancelled out Mitch Duke’s opener for the Wanderers.
It is the second consecutive week Inman has produced a decisive effort for the Queenslanders following his stunning equaliser against Newcastle Jets last time out.
The result lifts Brisbane into ninth position on 12 points and is just the club’s second away Hyundai A-League victory from their last 22 fixtures.
Western Sydney remain in seventh position on 14 points.
VOTE: Hyundai A-League Player of the Month – December
VOTE: Hyundai A-League Coach of the Month – December
Key moments
It took five minutes for Mitch Duke to score the first goal of 2020, the Australian international finishing off a move he had started. Duke’s cross-field switch found the run of Elrich, before Nicolai Muller’s cross was stuck home by the Wanderers captain for his fifth goal of the season.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6119089395001
Brisbane had not scored a first goal under Fowler’s reign this season but that changed when Neville rose highest and thumped Jay O’Shea’s corner past Daniel Lopar on 20 minutes.
Both sides traded blows with Inman drawing Lopar to save down low, while a chance on the break for Mohamed Adam was snuffed out by Brisbane goalkeeper Jamie Young.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6119085174001
Mirza Muratovic had retained his position ahead of number nine Roy O’Donovan – who did make a 42nd minute entrance for the injured Aaron Amadi-Holloway – and the young forward would repay Fowler’s faith by playing a crucial role in the winner.
Inman scampered forward after a turnover and exchanged a neat one-two with Muratovic before picking his spot in the bottom right hand corner.
Matt Jurman forced Jamie Young into an acrobatic save, Adam snatched at a header and Kosta Grozos sent one narrowly wide as the Wanderers dominated the closing stages in search of an equaliser, but were ultimately left frustrated as Brisbane clung on to a rare away win.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6119096105001
VOTE: Hyundai A-League Player of the Month – December
VOTE: Hyundai A-League Coach of the Month – December
Round 14
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City
Saturday, 11 January 2020
Suncorp Stadium
Kick off: 4.00pm local, 5.00pm AEDT
