BENJAMIN SCOTT
The Brisbane Roar have opened their 2013/2014 Hyundai A-League campaign with a comeback win over an understrength Phoenix in Wellington on Sunday.
Brisbane found themselves down midway through the first half after a goal by Phoenix forward Stein Huysegems.
Much to the delight of the small but loyal Wellington crowd Huysegems slotted home the goal after Michael Boxall headed the ball down inside the penalty area.
The Phoenix, who were missing a number of players away on international duty pushed Brisbane and had opportunities to build on their lead but were unable to do so thanks to some fine glove work by Roar keeper Michael Theo.
In first half injury time the Roar thought they had found an equaliser when Besart Berisha headed the ball past the Phoenix goal keeper, but he was offside.
The Roar finally had their goal early in the second half when a beautiful pass by Ivan Franjic found Berisha giving Brisbane their equaliser in the 46th minute.
In the second half both teams pressed for a winner but the scores were locked 1-1 till the 90th minute when hero of the day Ivan Franjic stepped up to score the winner.
Franjic volleyed a Thomas Broich shot home after it rebounded off the post to give Brisbane the match and the 3 points.
Brisbane will play their home opener Saturday night when they take on Alessandro Del Piero and Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium.