Brisbane Roar’s finals hopes have taken a blow with news that leading goal-scorer Henrique has suffered a knee injury and will require an operation.
The “Slippery Fish”, who has scored eight goals so far this season, was injured in the Roar’s 3-3 AFC Champions League draw against South Korea side Suwon Samsung FC at Gold Coast Stadium last Wednesday.
The speedy winger was substituted in the 65th minute after earlier taking several heavy tackles.
Henrique was unable to take part in last night’s 2-1 loss to Hyundai A-League leaders Wellington Phoenix – a match that was abandoned in the 73rd minute after heavy rain partially flooded the Suncorp Stadium field.
WRAP: Brisbane Roar 1 Wellington Phoenix 2
The injury is a blow for the Brazilian who only days earlier said he was having his best season yet with the Roar.
In the same interview, Henrique also paid credit to his fellow Roar strikers who will now have to cover for his absence in the closing rounds of the season.
“Our forward line has a lot of good players. It doesn’t really matter who is going to play, we are always dangerous up front,” Henrique said.
Last night, Dimitri Petratos started on the left wing for the Roar against Phoenix then was substituted by youngster Shannon Brady in the 69th minute.
But the encouraging news for the Roar is the improving fitness and form of Serbian international Andrija Kaluderovic who netted the Roar’s goal against the Phoenix, his third in the Hyundai A-League since joining the club in January.
