This time there were no memorable post-goal celebrations, but the Brisbane Roar still lapped up arguably their most cherished win of the A-League season at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Any doubts over the Roar’s status as title contenders evaporated after their 2-1 win over the Melbourne Victory – their first over the two-time champions since September 2008.
To sweeten the deal even further, Costa Rican striker Jean Carlos Solorzano’s first goal in Roar colours in the 77th minute ensured Brisbane downed the only team that had beaten them this season.
The talking point after Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over Central Coast was the Roar’s cheeky “row boat” goal celebration.
But the Roar were all business but no less impressive against their bogey team on Saturday night as they maintained their impressive run.
The second placed Brisbane have suffered only one defeat this season – a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of the Victory in Melbourne on September 12.
Since then the Roar have gone six games unbeaten.
They have also extended their home game unbeaten streak to eight matches – a club record.
The Roar led 1-0 at halftime after Mitch Nichols celebrated his return to the starting side at the expense of Kiwi import Kosta Barbarouses to open the scoring in the 26th minute.
From a short corner, Erik Paartalu headed to Nichols who drilled home the goal from close range.
However, the 9,425-strong crowd broke out into boos when former Roar player Robbie Kruse levelled the scores in the 48th minute.
His long range effort sliced through two defenders and a diving Michael Theoklitos to find the left corner of the goal.
Kruse did not endear himself as he walked over to the fanatical Roar supporters and revelled in his scoring prowess.
But the Roar faithful again had something to cheer about when Solorzano troubled the scorers for the first time in his fourth game in Brisbane colours.
The goal was set-up by an impressive run by Brisbane’s Luke DeVere.
However, DeVere looked to have duffed his chance when he was stopped by Adrian Leijer and Leigh Broxham.
However, the Victory players inexplicably coughed up the ball and Solorzano tapped home his first goal – and possibly the easiest he will score in the A-League.
The Costa Rican striker looked like a relieved man afterwards and no wonder – he had gone 116 minutes without scoring before Saturday night.
The unlucky Leijer almost redeemed himself in the dying minutes but his header from a corner flew wide while Roar keeper Michael Theoklitos was out of position.
Theoklitos endured plenty of anxious moments at the death, pulling off two big saves in the 90th minute alone to ensure the win.
Roar coach Ange Postecoglou dipped his hat to his side (6-4-1; win-draw-loss) who had endured three games in eight days.
They were also without former Socceroo Shane Stefanutto (hamstring), replaced by Matt Mundy.
“We were running on empty out there,” Postecoglou said.
“It was going to take a massive effort – this is a good sign for this side’s resilience.”
Meanwhile, visiting coach Ernie Merrick described the result as a “heartbreaker” after the Victory (5th; 3-5-4) had appeared to take control in the second half.
“We had a great second half performance but we really lost the game in the first half,” he said.
“I can’t keep saying we are playing good football because you have to convert good football into goals and wins.
“We are getting better. But we have to convert our chances – you have to score goals or pay a price.”
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