Charlie Austin stars in Brisbane Roar debut against Heidelberg United
Marquee recruit Charlie Austin made an impressive debut as Brisbane Roar overcame a spirited Heidelberg United in the Australia Cup.
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Marquee recruit Charlie Austin made a strong start to life with Brisbane Roar on Wednesday night.
The former Premier League playmaker set up two goals as the Roar edged NPL Victoria club Heidelberg United 3-1 in their Australia Cup Round of 32 clash at Olympic Village.
In his first competitive start, Austin was everything his new A-League club would have been hoping for.
A smart flick-on found a charging Rahmat Akbari, who beat former Roar goalkeeper Brendan White for the match’s opening in just the second minute.
While Heidelberg United equalised early in the second half, the English star quickly had the visitors back in front, setting up Henry Hore for a close range finish.
Roar coach Warren Moon was particularly pleased with his new weapon’s 72-minute display.
“He was impressive, a very good start,” he said after the match.
“He wasn’t meant to play for so long but he was feeling good and the situation in the game, we wanted to keep him out there because he was influential.
“He obviously did fatigue and we had to get him off to look after his best interests, which is to have him ready to October.”
Nikola Mileusnic then completed the scoring with arguably the goal of the round in the 88th minute.
The second-half substitute producing a moment of brilliance with a thundering free kick from 20m out to find the top corner.
The final score was unkind on a Heidelberg United side that showed plenty of attacking intent against a higher-ranked opponent.
The Warriors dominated field position for much of the first half and came within inches of an equaliser in the final minute only to see Mallan Roberts’ header flash inches over the crossbar.
The home team burst out of the blocks in the second half and again came agonisingly close when Sean Ellis hit the woodwork after pouncing on a loose back pass.
The vocal home crowd was finally rewarded in the 57th minute.
Kosta Petratos, brother of Socceroos midfielder Dimi, was dragged down inside the box and then stepped up to convert from the spot to send the 3000-strong crowd wild.
However, before the celebrations would die down Brisbane were back on top thanks to Hore, who made an instant impact four minutes after being substituted on.
Maki Petratos almost scored a wonder goal from 25m out with a curling effort but was denied by a fingertip save from Macklin Freke.
Mileusnic then put the game to bed in the dying minutes to ensure his team progressed to the Round of 16
Moon was pleased with the performance given his team’s little match practice outside a friendly with English visitors Aston Villa.
“I was happy, there was a lot to like about it, it was a difficult night in terms of conditions and against a really motivated opposition,” he said.
“When we went one-nil up we could have made it two or three and put the game to bed, but we didn’t, and when you keep NPL sides in it there’s always going to be a response.
“I love to see nights like tonight with this stadium and a parochial crowd and I hope (Heidelberg United) kick on for the rest of the season.”
Akbari and Riku Danzaki were ever-present dangers on the wings, while Connor Chapman was strong in central midfield.
Josh Pin was Heidelberg United’s best avenue forward with a number of attacking runs, while Dom Falla, Kosta Petratos and Ellis also stood out.
The Roar rarely tested former Socceroo Ivan Franjic’s flank and United looked dangerous when he and Petratos combined.
Warriors coach George Katsakis was proud of his team’s effort.
“When you concede a goal in the first minute, particularly playing against an A-League team, you’d think they would capitulate but to the contrary I thought we looked the better team,” he said.
“In the second half, we came out firing and got the equaliser and I thought we were a good chance.
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“Obviously, we didn’t hold on after that, the reply came back very quick and probably unsettled us.
“I thought 3-1 flattered them, it was a great executed free kick, but away from that I thought we were competitive in all areas.”
Fellow NPL Victoria club Green Gully claimed a 3-2 win over Wollongong United to progress to the next round.
Avondale, Bentleigh Greens and Oakleigh Cannons booked their tickets to the Round of 16 with wins last week.
FRANJIC, WARRIORS EYE CUPSET OVER ROAR
Former Socceroos defender Ivan Franjic believes Heidelberg United can make history repeat on Wednesday night.
The Warriors are eyeing a massive upset when they take on Franjic’s former A-League club, Brisbane Roar, at Olympic Village in a David-and-Goliath Australia Cup Round of 32 clash.
Franjic, a three-time premiership players with Brisbane, will be wearing United’s yellow and black and hoping to inspire a classic Cup take-down.
In 2017, Heidelberg United knocked off Perth Glory 1-0 in the Round of 32 thanks to former Melbourne Victory striker Kenny Athiu.
Franjic said it was a big opportunity to showcase the NPL Victoria club’s talent, like Athiu did, and earn an A-League opportunity.
“The club’s back on the national stage, everyone is excited to be there, we’ve worked hard to get there and hopefully a big crowd turns out,” he said.
“The boys are looking forward to it, it’s a big opportunity to put yourself on the radar of A-League clubs and no better time to do it than playing an A-League club.
“We’re all excited, it’s not going to be an easy game for us – we’re underdogs, which is obvious – but everyone is ready to give our best effort.
“It’s important not to over think it, approach it like another game, and go out there and give it your best and don’t let the occasion get to you.”
Franjic played 80 minutes in Heidelberg’s last-start win over Dandenong City on Sunday and is expected to be a key player on Wednesday night.
The 20-cap Socceroo played 131 games for the Roar across two stints, winning two premiers’ plates and three championships, earning a place in the A-League Team of the Decade 2005-2015.
He’s looking forward to coming up against his old mates.
“It’s always exciting to reunite with your old club and see familiar faces,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing some of the people that were there when I was there, I think there’s two players left but there’s a lot of backroom staff that are the same.
“We’ve had a couple of big crowds this year so we’re hoping they all come out and support us and it can be like a 12th man.”
Franjic isn’t the only Warrior with a Brisbane connection. United goalkeeper Brendan White made four A-League appearances for the club, while captain Reuben Way, Josh Pin and Ajdin Fetahagic all hail from Queensland.
The team will also feature Franjic’s brother Joseph as well as Yerasimakis and Kosta Petratos, brothers of former Roar and Socceroos midfielder Dimi Petratos.
Former Newcastle Jets striker Kaine Sheppard will lead the line-up for the home team.
Heidelberg come into the match battle hardened after a long NPL Victoria campaign and in good form after a 5-1 win over Dandenong City.
Franjic is confident his team’s match practice can work in their favour.
“We’ve had two good wins in the last two games to keep our finals hopes alive,” he said.
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“Hopefully we can take that form and can pull a surprise result on Wednesday night.
“I think we’ve got a good bunch of boys and we’ve learnt not to take anything for granted after how badly we started this season.
“We turned it around through hard work and that’s good preparation for this, it’s just a matter of going out there and enjoying it now.”
The match is scheduled to start at 7.30pm at Olympic Village, Heidelberg with the winner to progress to the Round of 16 in August.
Originally published as Charlie Austin stars in Brisbane Roar debut against Heidelberg United
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