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In the end, attacking football triumphed over pragmatism. Brisbane Roar are deserved 2013-14 A-League champions, beating Western Sydney Wanderers in an arm wrestle of a grand final.
Congratulations to Mike Mulvey and his indefatigable Roar for claiming their third A-League title in four seasons.
The Roar did it the hard way, coming from behind – the third time they’ve done so in as many deciders – to get the better of a Wanderers side which set their stall out to try and contain their opponents and jag a goal on the break.
More A-League grand final coverage:
– Full match report and video highlights
– Roar revel in Suncorp success
– Football is here to stay in Australia
– Brisbane puts on a great A-League final
– Mulvey: Roar now A-League benchmark
– The Roar‘s live blog
Western Sydney’s first 15 minutes was a clinic of containment, with a goal the only thing missing from Tony Popovic’s expertly executed game plan.
The trouble for the Wanderers was that they couldn’t keep up their high-tempo pressing game, as the Roar – and Thomas Broich in particular – took a stranglehold on the match.
It was against the run of play that Matt Spiranovic headed home the opener, though no surprise that Western Sydney’s goal should come from a set piece.
Both teams had squandered earlier opportunities, but the goal forced Brisbane to open up and employ a more expansive game plan. The enigmatic Broich set about orchestrating it, even if not everything he did was entirely convincing.
His floated cross for Besart Berisha’s equaliser was perfectly weighted, while it was Broich’s probing cross-field run which ultimately helped create Henrique’s winner.
But to listen to Craig Foster’s post-match summary of Broich’s performance was almost like hearing the eulogy of the world’s greatest ever footballer.
For all Broich’s class, he often shies from trying to take decisive moments into his own hands. Instead, the Roar rely heavily on Berisha, and they’re going to miss him dearly when he joins Melbourne Victory next season.
The Albanian was like a man possessed at a packed Suncorp Stadium, and it was predictable to see him ghost in and head home Broich’s free-kick.
Less predictable was the sight of Henrique’s name on the scoresheet for the winner, even allowing for his excellent goalscoring record in finals football.
Mulvey should thank his lucky stars he had such a dynamic substitute to call upon, because Dimi Petratos – perhaps hobbled by an ankle injury – was largely anonymous.
In fact several Roar stars turned in decidedly ho-hum performances, including former Perth Glory man Liam Miller, who seems wasted playing so deep for the Roar.
It was far from a vintage performance from Mulvey’s men, but in the end their attacking endeavour and sheer determination helped get them across the line against a Wanderers side now twice cursed by the bridesmaid’s tag.
The contest itself was another great advertisement for the A-League, even if there were aspects of the matchday experience that could do with some improvement.
I took my Roar-supporting girlfriend along after scoring a couple of tickets which allowed us to watch the game from a vantage point high above the Wanderers fans. Yet getting into the ground was the first problem, with Suncorp Stadium officials seemingly stopping and searching every individual coming through the turnstiles.
That’s all well and good if officials leave enough time and the general public is informed, but it took most of the fans at the Western Sydney end at least 30 minutes to gain entry – by which time many had missed the entire build-up to kick-off.
Speaking of atmospheres, after giving the game a hefty build-up, I found the noise levels inside somewhat muted – particularly from the Brisbane end.
Perhaps there was a sense of intimidation from Western Sydney’s non-stop support, but The Den seemed oddly quiet for much of the game.
Those are only minor quibbles though, and they take nothing away from the result.
Brisbane Roar were the best team for the entire season, and they sealed it with the ultimate prize – another A-League title.
More A-League grand final coverage:
– Full match report and video highlights
– Roar revel in Suncorp success
– Football is here to stay in Australia
– Brisbane puts on a great A-League final
– Mulvey: Roar now A-League benchmark
– The Roar‘s live blog