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
vince
Guest
I went out and watched GWS play and I could hear my watch ticking, on the positive though, no line ups for the toilets or for food or for beer. Rubbish game that does not even know what active support is.
vince
Guest
LIKE
Robbie
Guest
They don't get 13000 supporters of of an opposing team travelling to another state (or more than 1000kms). It's probably the total number of afl supporters from other states that fly in for it but it's not the same. I imagine yesterday there were probably at least another few thousand fans that were neutrals that flew in for the GF at Suncorp.
MJC
Guest
Broich wanted him there, and you could clearly see why. His experience, calmness under pressure and most importantly, his ability to accurately read the play meant that he had the jump on Hersi nearly every single time the ball came his way. An outstanding effort from the old boy indeed! Cheers
ciudadmarron
Guest
Yep. To be fair to the RBB, people criticised that and they took it on board. And there was a general opinion within it anyway that diss chants should be used sparingly, especially during the game, where the energy should be directed at the team.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Haha I joined in as well. Almost felt sorry for SFC. Poor guys aren't even involved and 1000km away and still getting abused! Although the RBB can't say much. We used some pretty offensive and somewhat childish chants against SFC and MVFC earlier in the season. They were noticeably absent by the time the final Derby came around. Can't be that hard to come up with a diss chant that doesn't use foul language.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I agree. I've been to many games, though haven't been able to for a couple of years now (when the little boy is a bit bigger I think I'll start getting along to some games with him though!) so they were SFC games since WSW didn't exist yet, and I enjoyed a lot of the chants and things, but there were always just a few with language like that in it, which I just think is unnecessary, especially when trying to make it a really family friendly environment. It's not necessary and just shows lack of imagination. "I can't think of anything better to chant, so I'll just start chanting "F%&# Off" to the opposition". In fact, all the best chants are the positive ones about their own team, rather than having a go at the opposition. It would be good if most of the supporter groups could focus a lot more on just building up their own team and players in their chants than slagging off the opposition.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Look forward to seeing any of these young players come through. Unfortunately, over the last 10 years there have been so many teenagers talked of having so much quality and promise and for the most part nothing much has come of it. Hopefully this can start changing and Australia can find ways of turning promising teenagers into quality senior players. We don't want to be still looking back in 20 years longing for the Golden Years of Kewell, Viduka, Cahill and co because we still haven't managed to produce anyone close to that sort of quality since.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Qld'ers are a friendly lot on the whole AZ, it doesn't surprise me that most people had a good time including yourself. - I did too.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Ironically they lifted that from Victory fans who sing it at Sydney FC. When I went through they started that one up and the wanderers joined in.
ItinerantLurker
Guest
"...nothing atmospherewise...? Obviously you haven't heard of the All Japan High School Baseball Tournament. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_school_baseball_in_Japan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn2XNRJjRZM
onside
Guest
Caxton Street was flat pregame with WSW fans diverted to another location The Den chanting "Fuck off Sydney" several times was beyond the pale. I'm no prude but apart from there being many young children in the crowd the boorish chant is a disgrace. My son (he's 42) who was there last week for the MV game, told me of another another chant, "Postagoglou is a paedophile". I find that extremely offensive.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"Then the big question following logically is to ask if the MV squad can have a good passer" You may want to watch a few MVFC's Aleague & ACL matches. You'll find we scored as many goals as Roar in the ALeague & we scored in 5 of our 6 ACL matches - including scoring 1st in every match. So, I daresay MVFC knows how to pass the ball! Berisha scores nearly 25% of Brisbane's goals. I wonder how they'll fill that gap? "As well, MV is a Greek club" And, I laughed & I laughed. Our Chairman is of Italian heritage; our coach is of Maltese heritage; our captain is of Anglo heritage; our longest serving player is of PNG/NZL heritage .. the only player with Greek heritage in MVFC is Kosta Barbarouses .. and, he plays for New Zealand :-D
Punter
Guest
I agree AR each to their own. As AZ says WSW fans care little for other people's opinion. I know when I first visited the UK & attended an England v Scotland match in Wembly or even a Rugby union match at Cardiff Arms Park between Wales & Ireland, the noise, the singing the atmosphere was greater then anything I had experienced in Australia. I much prefer the this type of atmosphere to the atmosphere you find in Australia with our traditional sports of AFL, NRL or cricket. Clap, clap, insert team name, clap, clap BTW, the English have a lot more songs then “We are the Army, the Barmy…” But like you said each to their own.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Wasn't much fear just felt that I would somewhat disrespecting their hallowed street by strutting through it in red and black. Heard that a few projectiles did rain down from the upper levels. A failure of security more than anything else. I have nothing but positive things to say about my time up there. If there's a Saturday night game up there next season I'll head up for sure. There's some incredible footage coming out tonight as everyone returns to Western Sydney. This is my favourite shot - https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10330234_488185574616532_2003123193265254279_n.jpg and yeah i'm pretty sure 15k Fremantle fans went to Melb for the 2013 GF. For a 2yr old club to send 10k is just as amazing.
Mike
Guest
Oh thank you! I'm not a WSW fan, but I am sick to death of punters on TV and the pods saying that WSW aren't an attacking team. They play a very very good passing game, but they also employ longer passes and when they can, fast counter-attacks. As a Jets supporter, I wish we had the good first touch and passing accuracy that WSW have. No criticism to Brisbane, but they were outplayed in the first half and if WSW had a better striker than Santa and Labi, they might have put away their chances and put the game to bed by soon after half time. Brisbane showed incredible spirit to come back so late on. Excellent stuff That was a cracking game of football from the two best teams in the comp.
AZ_RBB
Guest
haha no obligation to wear red and black. feel free to go in neutral colours. i temporarily lost hearing in my left ear after the 4th Sydney Derby. hopefully the restrictions are lifted for the RBB next season so we can return to full flight. it's a fairly friendly environment as most of us are friends with SFC fans.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Sorry Ian, forgot to express more or less the same thought there as well. It was great to see that much prominent football coverage - I was suitably amazed.
Ian
Guest
most of us are in shock of the amount of coverage it got in the past couple of weeks. it's a long story - but excluding you seeing the parochial angle we're happy with 9 pages. the previous grand finals/premierships didn't get it
BtoThePower3
Guest
When Berisha has the ball, he becomes very dangerous. So, it is important to cut his feeds. Then the big question following logically is to ask if the MV squad can have a good passer? Remember that Berisha did nothing when Broich was injured in 2011 to 2012 season. Secondly, MV's 4-2-2-2 formation needs to change to 4-3-3, 4-2-1-3 or 4-1-2-3. It is so interesting to see. This is a big test to KM. As well, MV is a Greek club. Can this Albanian international harmonize with the teammates and staff? The reason for saying this is for the sake of the recent burgeoning Golden Dawn party of Greek which reportedly has a supporting group in Melbourne too.