Robbie Fowler's Brisbane Roar earn point after VAR drama

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:19 am

Perth coach Tony Popovic agreed with the VAR decision to award Brisbane Roar a dramatic late equaliser in their 1-1 A-League draw at HBF Park.

The Glory appeared headed for victory on Sunday courtesy of a 34th-minute goal from Chris Ikonomidis in front of 9,829 fans.

But in a drama-filled finish, Brisbane had a goal disallowed for offside in the fifth minute of stoppage time, only for the VAR to overturn the decision.

Goalscorer Roy O'Donovan was initially in an offside position when star Roar recruit James O'Shea chipped the ball to Aaron Holloway in the box.

O'Donovan was back onside by the time Holloway headed the ball across to him, and he dived low to drive the header into the net.

The linesman initially ruled the goal out for offside, but it was overturned on review.

"What do I make of it? It's the decision that's made -- it's a goal," Popovic said.

"That happens every week in football. The second phase, he [O'Donovan] wasn't offside, so it was a goal."

New Roar coach Robbie Fowler celebrated wildly when his team were awarded the goal, and he felt the VAR decision was right.

"In all honesty, I'm not a massive fan of [the VAR in general], but that might be changing tonight," Fowler said.

"There was a player, maybe in an offside position, but it wasn't the player who headed the ball across. He [Holloway] was onside.

"And when [Holloway] headed it back to Roy, he was onside. The rules are if you're behind the last man, you're ok. It was proven to be the right decision."

Robbie Fowler earned his first point as Brisbane Roar boss thanks to VAR's injury time intervention.
Tony Feder/Getty Images

Fowler fielded an astounding nine club debutants in his starting XI, while Perth had just three.

Chances were few and far between for the Roar in the first half -- but they almost scored a goal via Glory defender Brandon Wilson.

He had the sun in his eyes when he accidentally headed the ball goalward, but goalkeeper Liam Reddy was alert and able to avert disaster.

The creativity between Ikonomidis, Bruno Fornaroli and Diego Castro left Brisbane scrambling on numerous occasions in the first half.

Castro's brilliance was a class above anyone else, and it seemed just a matter of time before Brisbane's defence was broken.

The moment arrived in the 34th minute when Fornaroli controlled a high ball, held off his opponent and tapped a sweet pass to Castro.

The Glory skipper threaded an excellent through-ball into the box, with Ikonomidis making no mistake with the finish. Brisbane dominated large periods of the second half, and Fowler felt his team deserved a draw at the very least.