Brisbane Roar 1-1 Perth Glory: Brisbane extend unbeaten run to 20 games

Brisbane Roar 1-1 Perth Glory

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A-League leaders Brisbane Roar extended their unbeaten run to 20 matches when they drew 1-1 with Perth Glory at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The Glory took a shock lead in the 31st minute through Mile Sterjovski after a fine piece of combination play with Robbie Fowler.

Sterjovski later squandered a great chance to give the visitors victory when he fired straight at the goalkeeper.

It wasn’t until the 62nd minute that the league leaders drew level. Substitute Henrique, playing in an unfamiliar left-wing position, sent over a perfect cross and Mitch Nichols headed home. It proved to be a brilliant tactical substitution by Brisbane coach, Ange Postecoglu.

The Roar played their usual style of scintillating, fast, attacking football, but Perth hung on grimly and fashioned some exciting counter-attacks of their own.

Nichols and Barbarouses produced some flashes of individual brilliance in beating opponents, but the goals simply didn’t come as chances in front of goal were wasted.

The draw put Brisbane 12 points ahead of second-placed Adelaide United, while Perth Glory moved up a place to third-last on the ladder, a point ahead of second-last Sydney FC and 3 points in front of bottom-side North Queensland Fury.

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Brisbane Roar: Theoklitos - Susak, DeVere, Smith, Stefanutto (Mundy 89) - Nichols, Paartalu Brattan 70), Murdocca (Henrique 59) - Barbarouses, Solorzano, Broich (Sub not used: Redmayne)

Goals: Nichols 62

Perth Glory: Velaphi - Neville, Todd, Mitchell, Coyne - Pellegrino (Fondyke 85), McGarry, Burns, Howarth - Fowler (Skorich 79), Sterjovski (Harnwell (90+2) (Sub not used: Pearson)

Booked: Burns, Todd

Goals: Sterjovski 31

Att: 6,000

Ref: J Gillett