Another stunning goal from in-form striker Jeremy Brockie couldn’t stop Wellington Phoenix sliding to a 2-1 loss to Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday night.
Another stunning goal from in-form striker Jeremy Brockie couldn-t stop Wellington Phoenix sliding to a 2-1 loss to Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday night.
Brockie-s 36th minute strike from distance flew past Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo and cancelled out Besart Berisha-s 15th minute goal that had given the home side the lead.
The equaliser was nothing more than Wellington deserved after creating three or four clear-cut chances that they weren-t able to capitilise on.
Young striker Louis Fenton went close with two headers and a lob that just cleared the crossbar with Theo stranded.
Ben Halloran restored Brisbane-s lead after 58 minutes and the job was made harder for the Phoenix six minutes later when Tyler Boyd, who turned 18 on Sunday, received a second yellow card for a “reckless tackle”.
With coach Ricki Herbert having used all his substitutes the Phoenix had to play the final few minutes with nine men after fullback Leo Bertos came off worse in a head clash and couldn-t continue.
To make matters worse with a clash with Melbourne Victory looming on Saturday midfielder Alex Smith was taken to hospital with a suspected broken cheekbone, possibly from a stray elbow, at the final whistle.
It was disappointing for Herbert who was looking at picking up three points at halftime.
“I think the signs were good in the first half and we had a few opportunities to get in front before they scored,” Herbert said.
“We were still going okay till Tyler was sent off. It is tough enough to win here with 11 men, let alone 10.
“I thought we were the equal of Brisbane which hasn-t always been the case when we-ve come here.”
Herbert said Brockie-s superb goal hadn-t surprised him.
“He doesn-t score ordinary goals does he?” Herbert said.
“It was a great strike but losing the game takes some of the gloss off it for him.
“He is now the league-s joint top scorer with Danny McBreen and he is having a good season, but it hasn-t happened by accident.
“Jeremy worked very hard in pre-season and he is now getting his reward.”
