A resurgent Western Sydney Wanderers FC have kept their finals hopes alive with a well-deserved 3-0 win over Brisbane Roar FC at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
Wanderers scored three times in the opening 40 minutes to blow away a lacklustre Roar side thanks to the sensational Oriol Riera, Alvaro Cejudo and Chris Ikonomidis in the front third.
The result sets up a season-defining blockbuster in Perth next weekend as Roar face in-form Glory, with both clubs hoping to squeeze into sixth.
But Wanderers, a point ahead of Glory and Roar, are now in the box seat ahead of their home clash with the Reds next week.
WATCH THE GOALS, RELIVE THE ACTION FROM ANZ STADIUM
STORY OF THE GAME
- GOAL! Riera bullets home a fabulous header for a perfect start inside four minutes.
- END-TO-END OPENING Both sides clearly going for it with action at both ends.
- BRILLIANT WANDERERS Roar opened up wide but Cejudo’s low shot blocked by Pepper
- GOAL! Riera makes it 2-0 inside 15 mins
- BUTCHERED CHANCE Roar hit on the break but Maccarone fluffed a golden chance to get back in the contest
- IKO ON THE BURST Ikonomidis bursts through wide right but his shot is pushed wide by Young
- GOAL! 3-0 after Ikonomidis’s lovely header
- HALF TIME 3-0 A listless Roar deservedly with a mountain to climb against a resurgent Wanderers
- SUPER CEJUDO Cheeky backheel from his burst forward slips in Ikonomidis who hits the post with a low shot
- RIERA AND CEJUDO AGAIN Should’ve been 4-0 with both Spaniards going close after 53 mins
- HINGERT KEEPS OUT WSW In transition and it’s two v one, but the Roar defender gets a touch to guide Ikonomidis’ effort away for a corner.
- BACCUS BLASTS Keanu hits a rocket low and just wide as the final 20 mins approaches
- HOLMAN OFFSIDE Maccarone hits the net but Holman is ruled offside after 80 mins. It’s not been Roar’s night as Cejudo takes an early mark. He’s been superb.
- INJURY CONCERN FOR IKONOMIDIS? He clutched at his hamstring/groin but soldiered on as the game went into stoppage time
GOALS
Riera WSW 1-0, 3′
A well-worked set piece with Cejudo from the right finding Riera who peels off and bullets home the opener low and hard past Young.
Riera WSW 2-0, 14′
Riera gets his second with a tap-in after an absolutely superb save from Young. The Roar keeper clawed out the Spaniard’s header but the marquee was first to the ball as he slid it home
.@ORiera9 has officially broken the record for the most goals scored by a Wanderer in one season across all competitions #WSW #WSWvBRI pic.twitter.com/LmI1fB7gUP
— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) April 7, 2018
Ikonomidis WSW 3-0, 40′
Riera should have scored but couldn’t get onto a low cross right in front, but the ball fell to Llorente on the wing, and Ikonomidis powered home his header.
