Auckland FC are back to winning ways in the Isuzu UTE A-League after defeating Brisbane Roar 2-0 at Suncorp Stadium to move seven points clear at the top of the ladder. Despite having fewer chances and less of the ball in the first half at Suncorp Stadium, the league leaders showed why they’re the team to catch this season as defender Nando Pijnaker gave his side the lead with a thumping header in first-half stoppage time.
The home side had plenty of opportunities to level things up but couldn’t find a way past Alex Paulsen in the Auckland goal. Captain Hiroki Sakai eventually put the result to bed in the 83rd minute as the Japanese slotted home Auckland’s second late on, which was eventually confirmed after a lengthy VAR check. The result brings about an end to the Black Knights’ three-game winless run and moves them seven points clear of Western United at the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
As for Brisbane Roar, Ruben Zadkovich’s side suffered their 13th loss of the season and remain without a win at Suncorp Stadium in over a year. On a hot and humid afternoon in Brisbane, it was the home side who controlled the opening stages. Receiving the ball in space on the edge of the Auckland area, veteran midfielder Jay O’Shea had the first opening of the game and forced goalkeeper Alex Paulsen into a smart save after just 10 minutes.
After the first drinks break of the afternoon, Roar youngster Jacob Brazete weaved his way through the Auckland defensive line; however, his shot was a weak one and barely threatened Paulsen. Despite Brisbane having more of the ball in the opening half, it was the league leaders who caught the home side napping in first-half stoppage time.
Recycling the ball well from a set piece, Auckland midfielder Louis Verstraete whipped a pinpoint ball into the box and onto the head of the unmarked Pijnaker, whose thunderous header flew past Matt Acton and into the back of the net. Looking to respond in the second half, Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich made a triple change in the 57th minute, and just two minutes later, they almost had the leveller.
After O’Shea’s wicked low free kick into the box was parried up into the air by Paulsen, central defender Hosine Bility reacted quickest, but his header back towards goal was saved at the last moment by the sprawling Paulsen. Now upping the ante, O’Shea forced Paulsen into another smart save as the keeper sprang down to his left to tip the Irishman’s low effort around the post for a corner.
However, despite the home side’s dominance, it was the visitors who snatched the all-important second goal off the back of a Brisbane chance. Having saved Florin Berenguer’s header, Paulsen then sent his side straight up the other end. Winning the initial flick-on, captain Sakai sprinted forward to join the attack, and when Logan Rogerson squared up his defender, Sakai was perfectly placed to receive the pass and slam home the second from the top of the box.
A somewhat lengthy VAR check then ensued to determine whether Rogerson was onside in the build-up to the goal; however, the officials green-lit the goal, and Sakai celebrated with his teammates as Auckland moved seven points clear at the top.
Auckland’s success this season was captured in microcosm at Suncorp Stadium: an almost impenetrable defence, with Alex Paulsen a reliable last resort when the opposition did break through, and a clinical knack for killing off games with goals at pivotal times. They came from Nando Pijnaker on the stroke of halftime and Hiroki Sakai with 10 minutes to play, the two defenders defying the heat to get up the field and apply a crucial finishing touch.
Those strikes aside, it was largely a performance to forget, with Brisbane controlling large stretches despite their lowly standing. But after a frustrating few weeks allowed their challengers to close the gap to four points, it was another result to remember for Pijnaker and his teammates.
“This was a massive game for us in the title run so hopefully we can keep it going and finish up on top,” the centre-back told Paramount Plus. “It was an extremely difficult game for us with the conditions, it’s very hot out here so we struggled a little bit and it was difficult to break Brisbane down and create opportunities. We managed to get a few crosses into the box, and I got up for one and managed to head it into the goal, so very happy with that.”
Coach Steve Corica must have been equally pleased to restore Pijnaker to the starting XI and reestablish the defensive quartet that started the season by going five games without conceding, including another 2-0 win over Brisbane in the club’s inaugural fixture. Since then, Dan Hall’s long-term injury and Pijnaker’s recent suspension prompted a reshuffle, with that reunited central-defensive pairing once again tightening the clamps alongside Francis de Vries and the ageless Sakai.
“What a player,” Pijnaker said of the Japanese. “It’s a privilege to play with a player as good as he is and the clubs he’s played for. It’s a good opportunity to learn from him, and having him on your team is always going to help.” An opposition with only two wins this season also seemed set to aid Auckland’s cause, but Brisbane had belatedly found a bit of form and proceeded to dominate the first half.
The home side enjoyed more possession and registered twice as many shots, only for Pijnaker to provide a resounding finish from Verstraete’s cross deep into stoppage time. The goal continued Auckland’s propensity to strike late in halves yet did little to change the trend of the game after the break, though Brisbane only occasionally threatened an equaliser and routinely found Paulsen scuppering those hopes.
Sakai finally eased any nerves following good work from Rogerson, firing home to send the Black Knights back home with silverware in their sights. Auckland FC 2 (Nando Pijnaker 45+3′, Hiroki Sakai 83′) Brisbane Roar 0. Halftime: 1-0.
