After consecutive losses and a failure to win since February 2, Brisbane Roar were provided the perfect antidote on Friday night: Perth Glory. Ivan Franjic, Liam Miller and Thomas Broich each scored second half goals as the Roar reestablished themselves as the A-League’s tops side in a 3-1 defeat of the visitors from Perth. Shane Smeltz only scored in the 91st minute with the game completely out of reach for the Glory, who have now four straight and five of six.
Perth Glory slide to last place after loss to Brisbane Roar
The spot so long occupied by Melbourne Heart now belongs to Perth after Brisbane put three goals past the Glory in twenty-nine second half minutes.
Bradley Kanaris
Despite controlling the game almost from the opening kick off, Brisbane were unable to slip a shot past Perth goalkeeper Danny Vukovic in the first half. But in the 56th minute, Thomas Broich lifted a free kick to the far post where it was headed in by Franjic. The goal reignited the Brisbane attack and the remainder of the game was one desperate defensive effort after another on the part of the Glory. Miller and Besart Berisha combined to produce the second goal with the former finally finishing an open sequence when he rebounded his own saved shot in the 80th minute. Broich then put the game away completely with a brilliant, curling shot from just outside the box in the 85th.
All three points take Brisbane back to a comfortable seven-point margin atop the ladder, though Western Sydney Wanderers do have a game in hand, which will be played on Sunday. The Glory’s drop all the way to the bottom of the table is complete, at least on goal difference, as the struggling Western Australia side are now below even previously moribund Melbourne Heart.
Brisbane return to action on Sunday March 9 when they host third place Adelaide United in what is expected to be among the more entertaining games of the season. The Glory get no favors in trying to get back on track with a trip to New Zealand ahead and a game against Wellington Phoenix on March 9.
Scoring:
BRI Franjic (Broich) 56’
BRI Miller 80’
BRI Broich (Miller) 85’
PER Smeltz 91’
Line-ups:
Brisbane Roar: Theo; Stefanutto, Smith, North, Frajic; McKay, Brattan, Miller; Broich, Berisha, Petratos (Henrique 88’)
Unused substitutes: Acton, Lustica, Donachie, Solorzano
Perth Glory: Vukovic; Clisby, O’Neill, Gallas, Risdon; Burns, Griffiths (McGarry 60’); Sidnei, Marinkovic (Sernas 60’), Harold (De Silva 75’); Smeltz
Unused substitutes: Duncan, Maclaren
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