Brisbane Roar have kept their Hyundai A-League finals hopes alive with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Perth Glory at nib Stadium on Saturday night.
Two goals to substitute Henrique and another goal to Thomas Kristensen was enough for Roar, who jump above Western Sydney Wanderers into the top six.
But John Aloisi’s side will have to wait until Sunday night to learn their finals fate, needing Adelaide to get a result against the Wanderers at ANZ Stadium to qualify for an eighth successive Finals Series.
The only downside for Roar was an injury to veteran playmaker Brett Holman, which forced him from the field in the first half.
Kenny Lowe’s Glory have to settle for an eighth-place finish in what’s been a rollercoaster campaign for the boys from the west.
SEE ALL THE GOALS IN OUR LIVE MATCH CENTRE
FULL TIME | Grit and determination sees us finish the regular season with a win in the West and our dream of @ALeague finals football still alive! #FEELTHEROAR #PERvBRI pic.twitter.com/ddPc8EsaEj
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) April 14, 2018
STORY OF THE GAME
EVEN START: With so much at stake, it was willing stuff in the first 15 minutes as both sides looked to take a stranglehold on the match.
EARLY BLOW FOR GLORY! Spanish playmaker Xavi Torres was forced off for the home side after 17 minutes with a hamstring injury.
GOAL! Adam Taggart gives Glory the lead with a classy finish.
GOAL! Just minutes after coming on for the injured Brett Holman, Henrique draws Roar level.
GOAL! Kristensen’s brilliant strike sees Roar edge in from 2-1 just before the break.
HALF-TIME: A superb fightback from the Roar sees them take an advantage to the sheds.
GOAL! Henrique gets his second as the visitors stretch their lead early in the second half.
THINGS HEATING UP: A heavy challenge by Jacob Pepper on Diego Castro saw a number of players from both sides get involved in a bit of push and shove.
END-TO-END STUFF: With their season slipping away, Glory were pushing hard to get back into the match and at the same time susceptible to the counter-attack from Roar.
PENALTY SAVE! Andy Keogh was pushed by Young in the box for a penalty but the Roar gloveman denied Castro with a brilliant save to his right.
OFF THE POST! Henrique was denied a hat-trick when his shot from the edge of the box hit the woodwork and stayed out.
GOAL! An own goal by Roar defender Jacob Pepper gives Glory a late lifeline.
GOALS
Adam Taggart: Perth Glory 24’ 1-0
‘Route One’ from Glory as Roar keeper Jamie Young inexplicably came out to try and clear Liam Reddy’s long-ball forward, with the ball falling to Taggart who lobed the ball into an empty net as Young tried to race back.
Henrique: Brisbane Roar 30’ 1-1
Glory failed to clear Fahid Ben Khalfallah’s free-kick into the box, with the ball falling into the path of the Brazilian who fired it into the bottom corner.
Thomas Kristensen: Brisbane Roar 40’ 1-2
The Dane was left completely unmarked at the far post, on the end of Matt McKay’s cross and firing a brilliant volley past Reddy.
Henrique: Brisbane Roar 52’ 1-3
Massimo Maccarone rolled Shane Lowry and played a nice reverse pass in behind the Glory defence, with Henrique staying onside and then easily beating the stranded Reddy.
Jacob Pepper (og): Perth Glory: 86’ 2-3
Joseph Mills’ deflected cross dropped near Taggart and while the striker didn’t get much on his header, the ball hit Pepper and beat Young down low at his near post.
