Queensland have taken the three points away from 'Fortress Suncorp' tonight with a blinding strike by 17-year old Tommy Oar breaking the dead lock with the Phoenix with minutes to spare.
The game never looked like heading for a draw with both teams playing adventurously for the second half after Wellington nabbed the lead a minute in to the half before having it levelled again by the home side.
Farina started his side in the 3-4-3, the way they finished against Newcastle with the exception of the Two-Footed Tornado, Danny Tiatto, who is unavailable through, no prizes for guessing, suspension, being replaced by North Queensland bound Chris Grossman. While the 'Nix lined up in a far more sensible 4-4-2 with Smeltz and Hearfield alternating as striker.
The Roar, now with three wins in a row in Brisbane weren't off to a good start when DeVere headed home an own goal. Shane Smeltz, who was well contained most of the game, shook his defender and whipped in the obligatory cross with only Hearfield in the box. DeVere got to the ball first only to head it directly past Liam Reddy and into the back of the net.
Queensland had started the game on the backfoot with the Phoenix keeping up with the usually pacey midfield. The powerhouse of McKay and Murdocca was working over time to get the ball out of trouble areas only to push the ball out to the wingers who would invariable be hunted, skinned and hung out to dry, or at least dispossessed.
Nichols, playing in the Cantona position (this writer cannot wait to see him fly kick a Sydney FC supporter next home game), made some inroads after the initial shock wore off, creating many chances just as he did last week with the simple stuff. Some nice one-twos, well worked crosses and a shot that hit the side netting (the natural enemy of the sideline spectator).
He was on another penetrating run and had touched the ball on beyond Wellington captain Durante who seeing the problem promptly stopped it with a body check. For his efforts he was given a yellow card, two metres further forward and he was looking at a penalty and a possible early shower.
Van Dijk took the shot which rebounded back in off the bar to hit a diving Glen Moss. Moss tried to recover the ball until it was stolen from him and driven into the back of the net by the ever present Matthew McKay.
The second half started in a frantic fashion as Wellington, who appear to thrive on early possession, pushed hard again from the kick off, Bertos darting past Josh McLoghan to place a cross to the far post, again Hearfield was there, this time connecting and directing it to the post. Liam Reddy should have had it covered but ended up swatting at nothing as the ball drifted into the goal.
Queensland, not to be out done, put on quite a show for their next goal. Mitch Nichols played a perfect pass onto Zullo, who although always looks well contained, manages to get in a cross every now and then. This is one of those time, van Dijk, who has hit a sensational vein of form met the ball before Dodd to touch it on into the net.
The game now up for grabs by both teams, we saw a very open second half, with Queensland dominating possession but continually being broken against and Bertos, Smeltz and later Kwasnik - all looking dangerous on the counter attack.
The action was fast and furious between the sides with five yellow cards handed out in the last half and hour. As the pressure builded Queensland looked to have taken the upper hand with Tom Oar's arrival for Tahj Minniecon, who hadn't had his best game, providing some extra spark.
It wasn't Tommy Oar's spark however that separated the sides as much as his rocket of a left boot. With the end looming Michael Zullo made a run towards the box and was tripped by Andrew Durante, who the instant he committed the foul started walking to the sheds, was given his second yellow. At least he got to pick his flavour of Powerade.
With van Dijk substituted moments prior, young Oar was given the ball. He has about a three stride run up but the power he gets from it is immense. The ball sailed perfectly over the wall into the top of the goal, Moss didn't have a snowballs chance in. a really hot spot of getting to it. Instantly a crowd hit, Oar was then picked up by every member of the team, which wasn't difficult given the teen is three foot nothing.
So the changing of the tides at Suncorp with the Roar now on the happy side of two late wins. Not quite a Fortress. But really, where is, in the A-League? Queensland now move into second on the table and well into championship contention. But really, who isn't in the A-League? Pros and cons of a short small competition I guess. Hopefully the expansion will spread the league out a little. It's great when you are second, until you realise you are six points off 7th.