Brisbane Roar have again demonstrated their renowned fighting spirit to come back from a goal down and defeat Perth Glory 2-1 in the A-League grand final.
In front from of packed Suncorp Stadium, the Roar rallied after an Ivan Franjic own goal in the second half to secure the win. The Roar have become the first team to win two grand finals in a row in the A-League’s short history, and they did it the hard way.
Following on from their come-from-behind defeat of the Central Coast Mariners in 2011, Brisbane showed their determination and never-give-up attitude to score two late goals, the second under controversial circumstances.
Hot tempered Albanian striker Besart Berisha scored with a pin-point header in the 83rd minute, then again popped up in injury time to win a dubious penalty and then stroke the ball home in the dying stages.
The Albanian went on a clattering run into the box, with the ball bouncing off bodies, and appeared to slip and lose his feet as he went to strike the ball. Despite minimal contact, if any, referee Jarred Gillet awarded a penalty.
Perth Glory have every right to feel robbed, as they fought all the way and went a man down in the final after Dean Heffernan received a second yellow card.
Goalkeeper Danny Vukovic was a standout for the Glory, but Thomas Broich was awarded the Joe Marston Medal and the Roar took home the tropy.
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Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
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Round 19 was an interesting weekend of football with no draws, 19 goals in six matches, two five-goal games on Sunday and for the…
