Brisbane Roar finally gave their long-suffering fans something to cheer about, defeating Western United 2-1 at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday evening. This victory marked the Roar's first home win in over a year, ending a frustrating 410-day winless streak at home and delivering a significant blow to Western United's hopes of a late-season premiership push.
In a match that saw the Roar come out strong, it took just 96 seconds for Sam Klein to score, putting Brisbane on track for the elusive victory. Following Klein's quick strike, Florin Berenguer doubled the lead in the 24th minute, capitalizing on a defensive mistake. Although Angus Thurgate assisted Hiroshi Ibusuki in scoring for Western United just before halftime, the Roar maintained control throughout the contest, deserving their long-awaited home win.
Jay O'Shea, the Roar's captain, expressed relief after the match, stating, "Honestly, it's a long time coming. And it's not more than our fans deserve. They've been coming out in numbers every week, and it hasn't been good enough all season. It's a big relief for us to get the win." This sentiment echoed the joy of the fans who had waited patiently for their team to turn around their fortunes at home.
For Western United, this defeat was particularly damaging, as it marked their second consecutive loss, effectively ending their chances of catching league leaders Auckland FC. Coach John Aloisi reflected on the disappointing performance, saying, "I don't think we were good enough tonight. We were poor, and then we struggled to get into the game." The loss leaves United nervously looking over their shoulder at the teams below them, including Western Sydney and Melbourne Victory, who could leapfrog them in the standings.
Brisbane's goals came from a combination of skill and a bit of luck. Klein's opener was a result of a brilliant team play initiated by Jacob Brazete, who left defender Tate Russell scrambling before delivering a precise pull-back. Klein made no mistake with his finish, scoring from close range. Berenguer's goal came from a calamitous back pass from United's skipper Ben Garrucio, which set him up perfectly to poke home the decisive goal.
Despite Ibusuki's late first-half goal, which gave Western United a glimmer of hope, the Roar's defense held firm in the second half. Brisbane's ability to weather the storm and maintain their lead showcased their determination to turn their season around. With this victory, they climbed back above Perth Glory into 12th position on the league table.
In addition to the thrilling match, Thursday night was significant for several players. Jack Hingert made a club record 273rd A-League appearance for Brisbane, marking his 300th game in the competition. Before the match, he was honored with a framed shirt commemorating the milestone, accompanied by his young son. Captain O'Shea praised Hingert's contributions, stating, "He deserves all the plaudits that he gets. We dug deep for him tonight." Meanwhile, Ben Halloran also reached a personal milestone, coming off the bench to play his 200th A-League game.
Looking ahead, Brisbane Roar will face Adelaide United on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Suncorp Stadium. With their confidence boosted from this win, the Roar will aim to build on this momentum as they continue to fight for a better position in the league.
As for Western United, the pressure is mounting. With two crucial matches coming up against Sydney and Auckland, Aloisi's side must regroup quickly if they wish to remain in contention for the premiership. The loss has certainly complicated their path, and they will need to find their form again to avoid slipping further down the standings.
This match not only marked a turning point for Brisbane Roar but also highlighted the challenges facing Western United as they navigate the final stretch of the season. The stakes are high, and every match will count as teams vie for playoff positions and potential glory.
