An Alex Brosque blockbuster ten minutes from time has helped steer Queensland Roar to a deserved 2-0 win over the New Zealand Knights in front of almost 21,000 fans at Lang Park.
Brosque took full advantage as the ball broke to him 25 metres from goal with the former Marconi striker curling a delightful strike over stranded 'keeper Danny Milosevic.
Michael Baird pounced on an under-hit back-pass to double Queensland’Äôs advantage six minutes later and wrap up the Roar’Äôs inaugural Hyundai A-League victory, although New Zealand felt aggrieved that the referee disallowed Sean Devine’Äôs headed goal moments before.
Roar captain Chad Gibson paid tribute to Queensland’Äôs record-setting crowd for sticking with the team as the minutes ticked away.
"Our extended family - our supporters - were breathtaking," Gibson said. "To play in front of our supporters today was just an amazing experience and something I’Äôll never forget."
"From the bottom of my heart, I’Äôd like to thank our fans."
Before the match, Queensland coach Miron Bleiberg sprang a surprise by including Matt McKay after his recuperation from a knee injury. Fit again Josh McCloughan also started in a three-man defence.
Adshead left Queenslander Steve Fitzsimmons and Xiaobin Zhang out of his starting line-up, preferring the added security of Jose Maguire in the Knight’Äôs midfield.
The Roar dominated the first half without creating any clear-cut chances. Right-sided attacker Jonti Richter, allowed far too much space by the New Zealanders, saw his 28th-minute shot saved by Milosevic.
Brosque then flashed a header wide wasting Queensland’Äôs best chance of opening the scoring.
The Knights looked most dangerous from set pieces and in the 35th minute Neil Emblen was left unmarked in the box, but could only head Maguire’Äôs free-kick over the bar.
With the score still level, second-half substitute Shin Tae-Yong incredibly stumbled over the ball only strides from an open goal when it appeared easier to score.
But Brosque settled Queensland’Äôs nerves following a powerful break from lively striker Baird. New Zealand captain Danny Hay nipped the ball from Baird’Äôs feet only to see Brosque steer the ball home from outside the box.
Four minutes from the final whistle, Baird anticipated Xiaobin Zhang’Äôs back-pass and rounded the keeper before sliding the ball home.