A second-half comeback from the Brisbane Roar secured a 2-1 home win against the Wellington Phoenix early this evening.
Despite the hosts having a firm grip on the early flow of the game, Ernie Merrick’s men would head into the break with the advantage after some quick exchanges between the Phoenix attackers ended with the Fijian slotting the ball inside the near post in the closing moments of the first-half.
Brisbane continued to control possession after the restart though and while it took a few near-misses, an equaliser came in the 70th minute with Steven Lustica’s close-range strike finding the net. There was a clear feeling that the drama was not over though and with both teams moving the ball from end-to-end, Jamie Maclaren was finally able to put a shot away after being played through on goal and rounding Glen Moss.
The turnaround eased some of the tension that seemed to be growing among the Roar fans, many claiming that the team has lost their momentum and creativity from the beginning of the season. Social media discussion surrounding the game was largely focused on the quality of the goals, with the Wellington faithful also lamenting a deflated display in the face of a resurgent opposition.
@jamie_maclaren You are a yet-to-be canonised Saint! #GoRoar #BRIvWEL
— Angus B (@Good_ol_Gusnuts) December 12, 2015
https://twitter.com/mattycougar/status/675587949984018432https://twitter.com/peterMVFC/status/675584124921384960https://twitter.com/scouse_roar/status/675584387895848960https://twitter.com/james_r_mcgrath/status/675573216044167168https://twitter.com/patrick478/status/675575450144407552https://twitter.com/charliecPIM/status/675589491126439936https://twitter.com/11gawa/status/675575741887602688https://twitter.com/DavidJack20/status/675575193155190784https://twitter.com/KingCarlosSV/status/675575128516788224https://twitter.com/steeviepee/status/675575123361980417https://twitter.com/obsessedmatdfan/status/675574356341186560https://twitter.com/mddl2012/status/675574289832144896https://twitter.com/cberkman/status/675583137645072384https://twitter.com/49arsenal/status/675582934603051008https://twitter.com/adamjaeger32/status/675585523805622272https://twitter.com/official_lesdog/status/675583036151349249https://twitter.com/AmazinAloisi/status/675589643165761536
That's punishment for not putting this game away Nix #BRIvWEL
— Peter Tanevski (@peterMVFC) December 12, 2015
Solorzano and Lustica combine to equalise… 😗 #BRIvWEL pic.twitter.com/oxRAbEPNvf
— Ben Clark (@scouse_roar) December 12, 2015
Good hit, son. He's the Fijian Messi, you know. #BRIvWEL
— James McGrath (@james_r_mcgrath) December 12, 2015
My reaction when Roy scored. #BRIvWEL pic.twitter.com/Gx2KxSIYzP
— Patrick Barnes (@patrick478) December 12, 2015
#brivwel Nix lost this one rather than Brisbane won it – 3 point lost unfortunately
— Charlie Campbell (@charliecPIM) December 12, 2015
Brisbane fans need to demand that all future regional games must be played within a predetermined max distance from Brisbane. #brivwel
— RH (@11gawa) December 12, 2015
@Brisbane_Roar I've been a big fan of Roar for a number of years but their football now is unproductive & boring to watch #BRIvWEL
— David Jack (@DavidJack20) December 12, 2015
Broich no longer marquee quality.
Petratos doesn't even deserve a contract. With his continual seletction, indietment on JA#BRIvWEL— RMWM (@KingCarlosSV) December 12, 2015
You know in fifa how your opposition gets hectic just before halftime? It happens in real life too. I hate fifa and real life. #BRIvWEL
— Stavross Pendopolis (@steeviepee) December 12, 2015
We lack any sort of intensity. Look uninterested. Have for several weeks. #BRIvWEL
— cameronthehuman. (@obsessedmatdfan) December 12, 2015
Have to start wondering if Aloisi really can manage at this level. Lack of tatics showing #BRIvWEL
— EFC1878 (@mddl2012) December 12, 2015
Started the season well but @brisbaneroar have seriously lost something recently. #BRIvWEL Where's the intent?
— Craig Berkman (@cberkman) December 12, 2015
Brisbane are fresh out of ideas #BRIvWEL
— Kim Jong Wenger (@49arsenal) December 12, 2015
How good is the keeping display in this game #BRIvWEL #aleague
— Adam Jaeger (@adamjaeger32) December 12, 2015
FMD I just overheard someone asking if I was Hatamoto. I'd rather be a leper thank you. #BRIvWEL
— Les Street (@official_lesdog) December 12, 2015
Dnt wrry @WgtnPhoenixFC der iz alwayz nxt seeson.
Maybs.#BRIvWEL
— Amazin Aloisi Pls (@AmazinAloisi) December 12, 2015
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