Berisha returns to haunt Roar as Western United pile pressure on Robbie Fowler

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:18 am

Former Brisbane hero Besart Berisha has come back to haunt the Roar as Western United completed a smash-and-grab 2-0 A-League win.

Robbie Fowler's team endured another frustrating night when they dominated possession and territory but drew a blank at Suncorp Stadium as first-half strikes by Connor Pain and Berisha secured the points for the visitors.

Defeat leaves Brisbane second last on the ladder with eight points from nine games, and still searching for a first-half goal in 2019-20.

Western United are up to third with their fifth win of their debut A-League campaign.

Besart Berisha scored on his return to Brisbane Roar.
Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The frustrations felt by the Roar were evident on Friday night when an exasperated Fowler declined to do an on-air interview with host broadcaster Fox Sports at the start of the second half.

Thrashed 5-1 last weekend by Sydney FC, the Roar were given an early warning sign when Berisha was able to get in behind the home team's defence in the third minute and had a strong claim for a penalty turned down after falling in a challenge by Scott Neville.

Less than 10 minutes later, the ball was in the back of Jamie Young's net when Connor Pain slid home an Alessandro Diamanti cross at the back post for his first goal for his new club.

The visitors almost made it two, minutes later, when Berisha rose highest at a corner but his header from six metres out went wide of the goal.

The Roar set up camp in United's half as they tried to find an equaliser.

Roy O'Donovan and Neville both went close with headers from corners, before Stefan Mauk came agonisingly close to levelling the scores in the 40th minute with his shot deflecting on to the post off United defender Andrew Durante.

Fowler's frustration hit new levels just before halftime when United hit his team with a classic sucker-punch.

Slick work on the right released Aaron Calver, who crossed to an unmarked Berisha in the penalty area with the former Roar favourite making no mistake.

Fowler threw on attackers Aaron Amadi-Holloway, Brad Inman and Jai Ingham throughout the second half but, despite ending the match with more than 70% possession, the Roar could muster only one shot on target.

Brisbane have a bye next week while United take on Western Sydney next Friday at Bankwest Stadium.