Auckland’s extended stay in Australia continued, this time with a trip to Brisbane Roar where Black Knights picked up three points courtesy of goals from Sam Cosgrove and Lachie Brook.
There was little in the way of roar from Brisbane. On the pitch their supposedly famous aggression was non-existent and off it their fans were drowned out by the 200-plus passionate Auckland fans who made their way over for the match.
Auckland opened the scoring inside six minutes. Sam Cosgrove justifying his return to the starting line-up by dominating the defender and bundling in a Francis de Vries corner at the far post.
Auckland managed to control the match from there on. At the back they looked solid, Dan Hall playing his 100th A-League game making a couple of eye-catching tackles. Up front Jesse Randall and Sam Cosgrove linked up well and both players had chances. The team remain unbeaten on the road this season and it was easy to see why.
But so long as it remained 1-0 the Roar still had a way back in. After Monday’s draw against Macarthur the team needed no reminder of the need to take chances and kill games off.
They did exactly that in the 73rd minute with a goal out the very top draw from Lachie Brook.
Collecting a ball on the right from Sakai, Brook burst forward. Just when you thought he was about to cross, he cut inside, beat his man and fired off a curling effort that kissed the inside of the far post on its way into the back of the net. It was Brook’s fifth of the season, and second against Brisbane.
That put the game to bed and frustrated the Roar. Auckland pushed for a third, creating several good chances, whereas the Roar decided to finally show a bit of physicality and kick-off with one of their trademark all in melees.
The referee blew the whistle shortly after. The players going to celebrate with the fans and head coach Steve Corica celebrating Auckland being five points clear at the top of the A-League.
Player of the Match: Lachlan Brook
Next Game: The away run continues, this time at Melbourne City and another Friday night game, kicking off at 9:35pm.
Next home game at Go Media Stadium: Fans will have to wait until Saturday, January 24 for the visit of Central Coast Mariners. Tickets for this and all Auckland FC games can be bought here.
