Substitute Justin Vidic scored in the 92nd minute to secure a dramatic New Year’s Eve win for Brisbane Roar as they broke Central Coast Mariners’ hearts with a late 2-1 win at polytec Stadium.
Looking to make a fast start in Gosford, Brisbane Roar will feel as though they should have taken the lead in just the second minute; striker Chris Long firing a tame effort straight at goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.
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However, after a period of sussing each other out a polytec Stadium it was the visitors who made the breakthrough in the 22nd minute and it was a former Mariner who silenced the home crowd.
Some tigerish play from Costa Rican international Youstin Salas saw Brisbane regain the ball inside their own half and before the Mariners could react, strikers Chris Long and Michael Ruhs were exchanging passes on the edge of their opponent’s box, with the latter eventually slotting the ball beyond Andrew Redmayne to make it 1-0.
Despite the away side looking the more threatening, the Mariners levelled things up in Gosford just seven minutes later.
A short corner saw the ball end up at the feet of full back Lucas Mauragis on the edge of the box and the defender took the opportunity to shoot with both hands, slamming an effort towards goal which deflected off of defender Dimitri Valkanis before nestling into the back of the net.
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Brisbane Roar came into the contest having received more yellow cards than any other side in the Isuzu UTE A-League this season and that trend continued before the break as both Salas and Henry Hore earned themselves yellow cards, and the temperature was beginning to rise.
Incensed by a series of calls made by referee Alex King, Roar head coach Michael Valkanis was booked for remonstrating one two many times and upon receiving his yellow card, he then sarcastically applauded King which resulted in the Roar boss being sent off.
A fiery first half came to a close with Mariners legend and Sporting Director Matt Simon spotted in a heated discussion in the tunnel as both sets of players had to be kept apart.
With the temperature seemingly cooling in the second half both sides set about finding the go-ahead goal and both sides had good chances to do so.
Brisbane midfielder Samuel Klein forced Redmayne into a smart save as the veteran keeper got down low to his left to push a shot away while Mariners substitute Christian Theoharous spurned a good chance when inside the Brisbane box.
Redmayne then produced a brilliant double save in the 88th minute, first denying Klein from distance before then showcasing brilliant reflexes to deny substitute Jordan Lauton on the rebound.
However the visitors were the side banging on the door and they eventually broke Mariners’ hearts in the 92nd minute.
Collecting the ball on the Brisbane right, skipper Jay O’Shea whipped an inviting left-footed cross into the box which was met by the head of the arriving Justin Vidic, and the substitute made no mistake from five yards out, burying his header beyond Redmayne and into the back of the net.
The result sends Brisbane Roar three points clear of fourth-placed Adelaide United and now level on points with Sydney FC in second place.
As for the Mariners, Warren Moon’s side have now lost their last four matches in a row and are without a win in six matches.
