The Brisbane Roar scored three second-half goals to snatch this match 4-3 from the Wellington Phoenix.
Final score
Brisbane Roar 4
Wellington Phoenix 3
The Brisbane Roar have their eyes on third place on the ladder, while the Wellington Phoenix are hoping to finish their season on a high. Join The Roar from 5pm AEST for commentary and live scores, and as always your say.
The Roar can finish the season in third place if they beat the Phoenix this afternoon and Melbourne City lose to Perth Glory, while only a heavy defeat and the Glory winning by a large margin would move the Roar down to fifth.
For Brisbane it will be all about the momentum game, they won’t want to be going into the finals on the back of a couple of losses, they will be boosted by the return of Tommy Oar, Thomas Broich and Thomas Kristensen.
For the Phoenix, they are in the awkward position of getting nothing out of this game instead of pride, they can’t move up and they can’t move down no matter what the results are this weekend.
Their motivation though may come in the form of new contracts, eight players come into the game off contract and they are in good form being unbeaten in their last three games including games against Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.
Wellington’s caretaker co-coaches Des Buckingham and Chris Greenacre will be interviewed next week with a view to continuing to coach the side next week. If they can finish the season on a four-match unbeaten run, it will give the club a lot of positives heading into next season.
An intriguing stat ahead of this game is that both games this year have been won by the away team. Jamie Maclaren comes into the weekend tied with Besart Berisha for most goals in the competition, a good game this afternoon could see him claim the accolade of being the league’s top scorer.
Prediction
This game could be a free-flowing affair with the Roar trying to move up the ladder, while the Phoenix wants to finish the year on a high, with that in mind I see this game being a high scoring tight game and I am going with a draw.
3-all draw
Join The Roar from 5pm AEST for commentary and live scores, and as always your say.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time Roar 4 vs Phoenix 3 A fantastic comes to an end, with the Brisbane Roar scoring three second half goals to snatch this one from the Wellington Phoenix. Brett Holman was fantastic for the Roar with a double including two stunners, the Phoenix can hold their heads high, they went into half time with a 3-1 lead, but they just couldn't hold on following their outstanding first half. They finish the season in seventh place, for the Roar it's a two hour wait to see where they finish the season before the finals.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'90+1 Roar 4 vs Phoenix 3 Parkhouse the one on for Watson he sets one up for Barbarouses who nearly scores an equaliser.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'89 Roar 4 vs Phoenix 3 Not long to go here, it looks like the Roar will hold on.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'86 Roar 4 vs Phoenix 3 Game ticking out now, thesesides are spent. Watson who has just come on may be going off with injury, Holman receives a standing O as he comes off to be replaced by Pepper and Oar is also off for Rowles. Watson off as well.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'82 Roar 4 vs Phoenix 3 Wellington slowed down here, it's been a terrible second half for them conceding three goals.
Swanny
Guest
Wellington defending is worse Great game
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'77 Roar 4 vs Phoenix 3 Finkler coming off for Watson.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'75 Roar 4 vs Phoenix 3 MacLaren with the chance to take a lead in the Golden Boot and he kicks it straight at Italiano!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'74 Roar 4 vs Phoenix 3 A yellow for Lia, as MacLaren is brought down in the box!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'73 Roar 4 vs Phoenix 3 Borrello now hits side netting, hunting their fifth here the Roar.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'70 Roar 4 vs Phoenix 3 Some treatment here for Kristensen, the Roar have been outstanding in this second half with three goals.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'67 Roar 4 vs Phoenix 3 Holman! It had to be him, a perfect strike from Holman who puts Brisbane in front.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'65 Roar 3 vs Phoenix 3 Krishna now flashes a shot wide!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'63 Roar 3 vs Phoenix 3 Both sides continuing to press to find the winner in this one.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'61 Roar 3 vs Phoenix 3 McGlinchey now to Krishna who has a chance on his left but he hits it straight at Theo.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'58 Roar 3 vs Phoenix 3 Holman now with a chance, he skies it past the left upright, MacLaren gives him a tongue lashing, he was inside for the tap in.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'56 Roar 3 vs Phoenix 3 Now a cross from Holman fizzes past the crossbar.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'55 Roar 3 vs Phoenix 3 It feels like this game has plenty more goals in it, what a cracking fixture!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'52 Roar 3 vs Phoenix 3 Brisbane on the attack now, Borrello's shot is blocked by MacLaren, it comes back and MacLaren slams it home for his 50th A-League goal! It's 3-3!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'50 Roar 2 vs Phoenix 3 Borrello with a shot that was placed perfectly has surprised Italiano and from outside the box he curls one into the bottom left! There was nothing Italiano could do to stop it.