It was a frustrating night for the visiting Wellington Phoenix, a youthful and energetic Brisbane Roar seeing out a narrow 2-1 victory at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane started the first half in control, exposing Wellington’s slower centre backs on several occasions.
Brisbane’s consistent pressure finally paid off in the 37th minute, Bautheac producing a contender for goal of the season with a brilliant solo goal, dribbling past nearly the entire Phoenix defence before chipping the ball over Filip Kurto.
It only took Bautheac another five minutes to double his tally, a low-driven cross from Dylan Wenzel Halls finding the Frenchman at the far post for an easy tap-in.
A presumably-stern Mark Rudan halftime talk left Wellington looking much hungrier coming into the second half.
A flurry of early second-half chances culminated in a headed goal for the Phoenix’s Steven Taylor – the absence of height in Brisbane’s line-up (Thomas Kristensen having picked up a knock late in the first half) no doubt assisting the visitor’s aerial approach.
Brisbane wrested back a marginal amount of control as the half played out, a pair of chances for Dylan Wenzel Halls, and a Bautheac-taken free kick, their best chances of extending their lead.
The final ten minutes of action saw two chances for Wellington to equalise completely butchered, as well as Bautheac receiving his marching orders for an unwise challenge on Justin Gulley.
Wellington’s loss leaves them in danger of dropping to sixth on the ladder, should results fall favourably for Adelaide United and Melbourne City.
Brisbane head into next week’s match against Newcastle without a now-suspended Jacob Pepper – Thomas Kristensen also prospectively missing through injury.
Brisbane Roar – 2 (Bautheac 37’, 42’)
Wellington Phoenix – 1 (Taylor 53’)
Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Peter Green
Assistant Referees: Ashley Beecham, Andrew Lindsay
Fourth Official: Adam Kersey
Brisbane Roar: Jamie Young (GK), Thomas Kristensen, Jacob Pepper, Eric Bautheac, Alex Lopez, Matt McKay (C), Dylan Wenzel Halls, Nicholas D’Agostino, Zachary Duncan, Daniel Leck, Izaack Powell, Joe Caletti (45’), Charles Lokoli Ngoy (66’), Aaron Reardon (90+1’)
Unused Substitutes: Brendan White (GK), Eli Babalj
Wellington Phoenix: Filip Kurto (GK), Justin Gulley, Armando Sosa Pena, David Williams, Liberato Cacace, Alex Rufer, Michal Kopczynski, Roy Krishna, Andrew Durante (C), Max Burgess, Steven Taylor, Sarpreet Singh (45’), Cillian Sheridan (70’)
Unused Substitutes: Antony Golec, Callan Elliot, Oliver Sail (GK)
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