Roar make winning A-League start
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Newly-signed striker Jamie Maclaren netted twice and defender Daniel Bowles headed in from a corner to cancel out Mitch Nichols' strike for the home side. The win gives Roar coach John Aloisi his first win since taking over at Brisbane and comes after an off-season of turmoil for the club, which has been beset by a raft of financial problems.
Maclaren opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he latched onto a botched back pass from Brendan Hamill and chipped advancing keeper Andrew Redmayne. The hosts equalised four minutes later when Nichols was on the receiving end of a delightful Scott Jamieson through ball and steered his shot past Brisbane goalkeeper Michael Theo.
Brisbane were dominant throughout the first half and were soon back in front when Bowles rose high to meet a corner from new Spanish signing Corona. The Roar scored off another corner in the 34th minute when the ball fell at Maclaren's feet and he calmly slotted the ball home.
Western Sydney pressed hard in the second half but Brisbane tightened their defence and never looked like conceding. It was the visitors who had the best chances in the second period with Maclaren and Devante Clut both blasting over the goal and Redmayne pulling off a superb save to deny Brandon Borrello.
Defending champions Melbourne Victory open their campaign on Friday night when they travel to Adelaide to take on Adelaide United.