Queensland side dump Adelaide United out of the premiership hunt.
Defending champions Brisbane Roar ended Adelaide United’s A-League season on Sunday and set up a semi-final with Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Roar, with an own goal by Brazilian Cassio off a Luke Brattan strike and another goal from Ivan Franji, claimed a 2-1 win in the second elimination final.
Central Coast Mariners host Melbourne Victory in the other semi-final next Sunday.
Brisbane outclassed Adelaide, whose goal was scored late by Dario Vidosic, but paid a price with Roar’s German playmaker Thomas Broich and defender Jack Hingert suffering game-ending injuries and in doubt for next week.
The injuries took some gloss off Roar’s win, with their defender Brattan unleashing a long-range volley which hit Adelaide defender Cassio, standing a metre from the goal line, and went into the net.
Brisbane struck a second blow two minutes into injury time when Mitch Nichols created Franjic’s goal.
The Roar absorbed the best Adelaide could throw at them in the second half until Reds star Vidosic scored in the 89th minute, driving home a low right-footer.
Melbourne Victory stayed alive in the championship race with a dramatic extra-time 2-1 win over Perth Glory in Friday’s other elimination final in Melbourne.
Glory led through Japanese forward Ryo Nagai’s 15th minute goal up to injury time, when Victory were awarded a penalty which was converted by Mark Milligan to send the playoff into extra time.
Victory, recharged from their let-off, struck four minutes into extra time when Archie Thompson headed home from close range after a Marco Rojas cross.
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