Brisbane Roar were denied all three points at the death as they played out a 1-1 draw against Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The match, part of Round 21 of the Isuzu UTE A-League, showcased moments of brilliance alongside desperation as both teams fought for the win.
Henry Hore opened the scoring for the Roar in the 20th minute with his third goal of the season. Picking up the ball on the left touchline, Hore charged toward the area, skillfully evading Ryan Teague with several stepovers before unleashing a powerful shot to the near post, leaving visiting goalkeeper Mitch Langerak with no chance.
Despite falling behind, Melbourne Victory showed resilience and determination, almost equalizing shortly after as Jordi Valadon struck the post just six minutes after kickoff. The traveling side continued to push forward but struggled to penetrate Brisbane's defense, which sat deep and effectively countered their attacks.
Roar forward Nathan Amanatidis came agonizingly close to doubling the lead early in the second half. After rounding Langerak, his shot was heroically cleared off the line by Josh Rawlins, preserving Victory’s hopes to stay within reach of their opponents.
While Brisbane appeared to have control over the match, Victory maintained pressure and gradually took over the possession stats, holding over two-thirds of the ball during the second half. Despite this, their inability to convert their dominance came back to haunt them. Interim coach Arthur Diles made several substitutions, hoping to infuse fresh energy and creativity to find the equalizer.
Brisbane's goalkeeper, Matt Acton, who was making his first appearance of the season, put forth a remarkable performance, making important saves throughout the clash. Acton's efforts included denying multiple attempts from the Victory attackers, including Ryan Teague and Nikos Vergos, as the Roar defensive unit stood firm.
Just when it appeared Brisbane would seal the match, disaster struck for the home side. A deflected strike from Ryan Teague found its way to Kasey Bos, who pounced on the ball and finished it clinically past Acton, scoring the equalizer in the seventh minute of added time at 97 minutes. This moment confirmed Bos's first-ever goal in the Isuzu UTE A-League and cranked up jubilation for the visiting supporters.
The match provided plenty of drama, underscoring Brisbane's struggle at home, stretching their winless streak to 10 matches at Suncorp Stadium. Coach Ruben Zadkovich expressed disappointment post-match, acknowledging the challenging moments faced by his squad. “We had the game under control, but sometimes football doesn't go to plan. We need to focus on the positives and keep building,” he said, reinforcing the need for his team to gather momentum as they prepare for their next fixture.
Victory’s coach Diles, on the other hand, celebrated the resiliency shown by his team, stating, “We showed character today. To come back and snatch the equalizer at the death reflects our spirit. It’s important for us as we strive to stay within the top six.”
Both teams now turn their focus to upcoming fixtures; Brisbane Roar will face Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium next Saturday, aiming to break their home hex. Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory prepares to host Central Coast Mariners on March 8, seeking to solidify their position within play-off contention.
Overall, the match served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, with the thrill of late drama keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very last whistle.
Match Details:
Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2024/25 – Round 21
Brisbane Roar: 1 (Henry Hore 20’)
Melbourne Victory: 1 (Kasey Bos 90+7’)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Date: Saturday, 1 March
Attendance: 6,544