Auckland FC make most of chancces
- Dave Worsley
- Mar 31
- 2 min read
Auckland FC have beaten Brisbane Roar 2-0 at Suncorp Stadium to move seven points clear at the top of the ladder despite having fewer chances and less ball.
Defender Nando Pijnaker gave Auckland the lead with a powerful header in first-half stoppage time in a rare attack.
The home side had plenty of opportunities to level things up but couldn’t find a way past Alex Paulsen in the Auckland goal.
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Captain Hiroki Sakai eventually put the result to bed in the 83rd minute as the Japanese slotted home Auckland’s second late on which was eventually confirmed after a lengthy VAR check.
The result brings about an end to the Auckland's three-game winless run and moves them seven points clear of Western United at the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
As for Brisbane Roar, Ruben Zadkovich’s side suffered their 13th loss of the season and remain without a win at Suncorp Stadium in over a year.
After the first drinks break of the afternoon, Roar youngster Jacob Brazete weaved his way through the Auckland defensive line however his shot was a weak one and barely threatened Alex Paulsen in the goal.
Recycling the ball well from a set-piece, Auckland midfielder Verstraete whipped a pinpoint ball into the box and onto the head of the unmarked Pijnaker who’s thunderous header flew past Acton and into the back of the net.
Looking to respond in the second-half, Roar coach Zadkovich made a triple change in the 57th minute and just two minutes later they almost had the leveller.
After O’Shea’s wicked low free-kick into the box was parried up into the air by Paulsen, central defender Hosine Bility reacted quickest but his header back towards goal was saved at the last moment but the sprawling Paulsen.
However, despite the home side’s somewhat dominance it was the visitors who snatched the all-important second goal off the back of a Brisbane chance.
After Paulsen sent the ball down field captain Hiroki Sakai then sprinted forward to join the attack and when Logan Rogerson squared up his defender, Sakai was perfectly placed to receive the pass and slam home the second from the top of the box.
A lengthy VAR check then ensued to determine whether Rogerson was onside in the build-up to the goal however the officials green lit the goal and Sakai celebrated with his team mates as Auckland moved seven points clear at the top.
