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Clut stunner saves Brisbane's blushes in Champions League

18th March, 2015
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Brisbane Roar’s next generation took centre stage on Wednesday night as they fought out an enthralling 3-3 draw with South Korean side Suwon Bluewings in the AFC Champions League.

Emerging midfielder Devante Clut scored twice in just his third appearance at senior level, while teenage forward Brandon Borrello’s rich vein of form continued with another goal at the Gold Coast’s cBus Super Stadium.

Clut’s second strike was a stunner from just outside the box with 10 minutes remaining, bringing the Roar back on equal terms just as they appeared destined for defeat.

The Roar had surged to a 2-0 lead after 22 minutes but their grasp on the match slipped after the break, and Suwon took full advantage through a Seo Jung-jin brace and a header from North Korean international striker Jong Tae-se.

The importance of a win was underlined for both teams when Beijing Guoan defeated Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday to consolidate their Group G supremacy, setting up Brisbane and Suwon for a likely battle for the second qualifying berth.

The two sides will meet again on April 8, this time in Korea, where the winner will put themselves in the box seat for the round of 16.

Clut was one of six inclusions for the Roar from the side that fell to Sydney FC on Sunday, filling in the playmaker role in the absence of Thomas Broich, who was rested.

Any concerns about Brisbane’s ability to create without their star German midfielder were quickly allayed.

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The Roar took the lead just 12 minutes in through Borrello, who ghosted from his marker to meet a cutback from Andrija Kaluderovic and finish neatly past Suwon goalkeeper No Dong-geon.

Ten minutes later it was two for Brisbane, this time with Borrello the provider on the back of some strong lead-up play through midfield.

Clut, who also scored on his A-League debut last year, was fed the ball just outside the box and then put his laces through it to find the bottom right-hand corner.

But Jung-jin pounced either side of the break, capitalising on two instances of sloppy Brisbane defending, to drag Suwon back into the contest.

His second goal was sublime, as he danced through three Brisbane defenders before delivering a clinical finish just five minutes after half-time.

When Tae-se nodded home at the back post to complete an excellent, flowing team move in the 71st minute, the Roar looked shot – only for Clut’s slice of brilliance to save the day.

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