Brisbane Roar has claimed their first victory of the Isuzu UTE A-League season with a dramatic 4-3 win over Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on January 18, 2025. After struggling through the first half of the season, the Roar's win has finally lifted them above the bottom of the ladder.
The match started with Roar taking charge early on. They opened the scoring just 16 minutes in when Ben Halloran cleverly lobbed the ball over Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares following an excellent long pass from captain Jay O'Shea. Halloran’s skillful finish set the tone for the Roar, who were determined to showcase their talent after enduring the worst start to the season in the club's history.
Five minutes later, the visitors increased their lead as newcomer Henry Hore marked his comeback from K League on loan by scoring his first goal for the club. He received O'Shea's precise pass and unleashed a powerful shot, giving the Roar a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Despite their strong start, Sydney FC responded quickly with Joel King pulling one back for the hosts in the 31st minute. He finished off Joe Lolley’s cross with precision, igniting hopes for the Sky Blues, who were striving for consistency after their own struggles.
Brisbane managed to regain their two-goal cushion before halftime when Adam Zimarino scored with a neat finish after Halloran assisted him. The visitors ended the first half leading 3-1 and appeared the more confident side.
The second half saw the Roar continue to press their advantage. Lucas Herrington, the 17-year-old defender, scored the fourth and definitive goal for Brisbane with a volley from Keegan Jelacic's corner, marking his first goal at the senior level. This made it 4-1 and should have sealed the victory for the Roar.
But Sydney, refusing to concede defeat, mounted a late comeback thanks to substitute Thiago Quintal's goal, followed by another from Jordan Courtney-Perkins. They made it 4-3 within minutes, creating tense moments for the visitors as they fought to hold onto their lead.
Ruben Zadkovich, the Brisbane Roar coach, expressed relief and pride after the game. "(This is) one of the toughest periods you can probably have as a club," he remarked, highlighting the team’s perseverance during their difficult start. His focus was on celebrating the long-awaited win and building on it moving forward.
Sydney’s coach, Ufuk Talay, was understandably disappointed, stating, "We weren't at the races today... From the get-go, I thought we were very lethargic and very slow." This defeat left Sydney FC falling out of contention for the top two spots on the league table, showcasing their struggles this season.
The victory for Brisbane Roar against Sydney FC is significant not only because it marks their first win this season but also as their first success over Sydney since 2018. With this triumph, the Roar look to gain momentum as they face upcoming challenges, starting with their next match against Western Sydney Wanderers.
For Brisbane and its supporters, this win is not just about one match; it serves as a turning point for the club as they aim to climb up from the bottom of the A-League standings and reshape their season as they push toward their goals.