Kwabena Appiah and goal scorer Tomi Juric reflect on the 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar.
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar have shared the points with a 1-1 draw in a see-sawing Hyundai A-League clash on Saturday night.
In what was Shinji Ono-s farewell match, a 21st minute celebration for the Japanese legend coupled with Tomi Juric-s impressive finish were the highlights of a memorable evening at Wanderland.
The Wanderers had the better of the opening exchanges with a Nikolai Toppor-Stanley header in the eighth minute sailing just over the crossbar.
The home side again went close midway through the first half when a low cross from Adam D’Apuzzo was met at the near post by Brendon Santalab, whose shot was dragged just wide.
While the Wanderer started the best Brisbane slowly worked themselves back into the match and soon enough the Roar take the lead through Liam Miller.
Momentum shifted back to the Red and Black instantly after half time following the introduction of Tomi Juric at the break.
The Wanderers top scorer wasted little time getting in to the action and on the hour mark got his name on the scoresheet yet again.
A Wanderers counter -attack saw Aaron Mooy play a lovely looping switch to Mark Bridge on the left edge of the penalty area.
Bridge drew his man before dragging the ball back to Juric who calmly curled his shot into the bottom right hand corner to level the scores.
The goal and the introduction of Kwabena Appiah lifted the home side, finishing strongly and coming all so close to a winner.
Juric had a great chance to give his side the lead in the 74th minute on another counter attack launched by Appiah.
Appiah’s pass found Shinji Ono running into the area. Ono’s lay-off to Juric left the striker with just the goal keeper to beat but with the ball bobbling up at the worst moment his shot sailed over the crossbar.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Juric 61′)
Brisbane Roar 1 (Miller 31′)
Crowd: 15,573 @ Pirtek Stadium
