An early Bozhidar Kraev goal has secured an important 1-0 win for the Western Sydney Wanderers over the Brisbane Roar.
It was a slog at times in humid conditions and on a poor pitch, but Kraev’s fourth goal of the season returned the Wanderers to winning ways and back on the cusp of the finals places.
Alen Stajcic’s side came into this one off the back of a heartbreaking late defeat to Auckland, and started strong as they were buoyed by the injury returns of Brandon Borrello and Gabriel Cleur.
The Wanderers had all the ball in the early stages and made Brisbane goalkeeper Macklin Freke a busy man, as he parried away Zac Sapsford’s snapshot, followed by a Cleur effort moments later.
From the resulting corner, the Wanderers hit the front, as Juan Mata’s pinpoint delivery found Kraev, who emphatically headed home at the back stick.
It was a great start for the Wanderers and for Mata, but the Spaniard unfortunately went off injured moments later with a hamstring issue.
The Wanderers kept pushing, with Borrello’s strong shot from the edge of the area needing to be well saved by Freke.
Brisbane had their moments, with Alex Bonetig being on hand to make a crucial intervention in the box, but the Wanderers continued to have the better of the possession and chances.
The Roar’s playing out from the back lacked quality, and the Wanderers were able to steal possession and create chances for themselves.
One of these occasions saw Sapsford denied by Freke, before Borrello put the ball in the back of the net but was called back for a foul in the build up.
Sapsford had a great opportunity in first half stoppage time, but a desperate lunge from the defence denied him.
Chances were more few and far between in the second half as the conditions took its toll on players from both sides, with the Wanderers also withdrawing Cleur and Borrello in the second half as they continue their managed returns from injury.
Another error from the back by Brisbane gave Nicolas Milanovic a chance, but his effort was deflected behind for a corner in the 52nd minute.
Anthony Pantazopoulos, shifting to left back after Cleur’s return, cut inside on his right foot and tried to curl a neat effort into the far corner, but the fullback just couldn’t get enough bend on the ball.
The Wanderers then thought they found their second goal in simple fashion, as Sapsford found space down the right to feed in Milanovic, who swept the ball home.
After a lengthy VAR check, the goal was then disallowed, as it emerged Spasford had strayed offside in the buildup to the goal.
Brisbane were emboldened by their reprieve and pushed forward, forcing Lawrence Thomas into a smart stop in the 76th minute as the atmosphere ramped up at Suncorp Stadium.
Sapsford then had an incredibly ambitious attempt on goal, where he tried to score from his own half, but it was read by Freke.
Brisbane threw men forward in an attempt to get an equaliser, but lacked effectiveness in their attacking play, meaning the Wanderers defence was able to absorb the danger and sit in a solid shape for the remainder of the match.
The Wanderers would hold on for a crucial victory as well as a second clean sheet of the season, which will be hugely important to Stajcic.
The Wanderers have now won six games for the season, and have important momentum heading into next weekend’s Sydney Derby.
