After picking up the ball near the right touchline, Brook cut back towards the penalty area, before unleashing a delightful shot that curled perfectly, bouncing in off the far post. That doubled Auckland’s lead, after Sam Cosgrove’s early goal from a corner.
It was a clinical display – and just the kind of response that coach Steve Corica was looking for, off the back of the home loss to Newcastle, then the draw against Macarthur, when Auckland conceded a late equaliser. It was also another effective, efficient performance across the Tasman, maintaining their remarkable record in Australia, where they have only lost two matches since the start of last season.
The result means Auckland FC stay top of the A-League ladder. Brisbane had troubled Auckland FC earlier this season – where they were the better side in a 1-1 draw at Go Media Stadium – but this match was a completely different contest. The home side only had one shot on target in the first half and were kept at arm’s length for most of the match, aside from a few late chances.
They looked leg weary – playing their fourth game in the space of 10 days – but also struggled to find any space within or behind the Auckland FC defensive structure. Brook was again a standout, while Jesse Randall had some eye catching moments on the left flank. But every Auckland player stood up, with defensive lynchpin Dan Hall and captain Hiroki Sakai also strong.
Corica again reshuffled his deck, with Sam Cosgrove and Cam Howieson brought into the starting XI. Brook was again used in the number 10 role.
Auckland enjoyed the perfect start, after Cosgrove bundled home from a Francis de Vries corner, with his physical presence unsettling the defence. From there, Auckland set the tone well. Randall had a shot saved – after persisting – before Cosgrove headed over the bar, after Randall had turned his marker inside out. The duo were involved again after the break, as Randall broke out, before the move shifted to the right flank, then Cosgrove was narrowly wide with a clever flick.
In front of a large contingent of travelling fans, Randall had a shot saved at the near post, after a clever lofted pass from Brook. Hall managed a great sliding tackle to avert a dangerous situation, then Sakai was alert to head away near the goal line.
Former Wellington Phoenix player Youstin Salas stung the palms of Michael Woud late in the second half, before Quinn MacNicol found space but direct his shot too close to Woud. That was as close as the home side came, as Auckland FC banked more valuable points.
Auckland FC 2 (Sam Cosgrove 6, Lachlan Brook 73)
Brisbane Roar 0
Halftime 1-0
