Andy Keogh and Diego Castro both struck in the final ten minutes as Glory came from behind to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
The visitors had fallen behind to Massimo Maccarone’s sixth goal of the season late in the first half before rallying after the break and turning the game on its head as full time loomed.
Keogh marked his return from injury by converting a Castro cross at the far post for the equaliser and two minutes later the Irishman returned the favour by providing the assist for the Spaniard to notch his second goal in as many games.
The victory, just their third in 19 visits to the Queensland capital and their first there in five years, elevated Kenny Lowe’s side above Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United into fourth place.
Although possession was split fairly evenly between the two sides in the first half, it was Roar who created the better chances, starting in the seventh minute when Petros Skapetis’ shot drew a regulation save from Liam Reddy.
Glory responded in kind moments later when Chris Harold was just unable to get a meaningful connection on a low cross from the overlapping Jeremy Walker, before Nicholas D’Agostino went close at the other end with two headed efforts in as many minutes.
And seven minutes before half time, John Aloisi’s side did manage to break the deadlock, Fahid Ben Khalfallah providing the assist and Maccarone finding the net, albeit slightly fortuitously as his shot deflected off Shane Lowry on its way past Reddy.
Lowe’s response was to introduce Keogh at the start of the second half and the club skipper made an immediate impact as Glory began to look more threatening.
Diego Castro rifled a free kick narrowly over on 50 minutes and shortly afterwards, Keogh got on the end of a Harold cross only to see his shot find the side-netting.
The visitors did survive a scare on the hour-mark, however, Reddy suffering a nasty blow to the face as he bravely prevented the onrushing Corey Brown from converting a fine cross supplied by substitute Corey Gameiro.
Reddy was unfortunately unable to continue as the blow had left him with blurred vision, meaning Nick Feely was called into action off the bench and the replacement’s first task was to parry a close-range header from the lively D’Agostino.
The’keeper then also played a part in Glory’s equaliser, his long clearance reaching Castro who controlled superbly and raced goalwards before sliding the ball to the back post where Keogh applied a composed finish.
And three minutes the roles were reversed when Keogh unselfishly cut back Joseph Mills’ fine cross for Castro and he rifled past the helpless Jamie Young in the home goal to seal a second away win of the season for Glory.
Match Details
Brisbane Roar 1 (Maccarone 38′) Perth Glory 2 (Keogh 80′, Castro 82′)
Half-time: 1-0
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Kurt Ams
Brisbane Roar: 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 3.Luke DEVERE (24.Conor O’TOOLE 82′), 5.Corey BROWN, 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN (16.Mitchell OXBORROW 80′), 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Massimo MACCARONE, 14.Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 17.Matt MCKAY (c), 19.Jack HINGERT, 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 33.Petros SKAPETIS (11.Corey GAMEIRO 60′)
Substitutes not used: 31.Brendan WHITE (gk), 25.Rahmat AKBARI
Yellow cards: Kristensen, Hingert, Gameiro
Red cards: None
Perth Glory: 33.Liam REDDY (gk) (13 Nick FEELY (gk) 69′), 4.Shane LOWRY (c), 5.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Joseph MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 18. Andreu GUERAO (8.Xavi TORRES 71′), 19.Joe KNOWLES (9.Andy KEOGH 46′), 29.Jeremy WALKER
Substitutes not used: 2.Alex GRANT, 7.Joel CHIANESE
Yellow cards: Mills, Walker, Keogh
Red cards: None
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