Henrique lifts Roar, Victory see off Sydney
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Brazilian Henrique fought back from being sidelined with a serious knee injury to score the winner and lift Brisbane Roar to the top of Australia's A-League on Sunday. In his first match since undergoing a knee reconstruction in March, Henrique broke the deadlock in the 74th minute to help Roar down Perth Glory 1-0 in Brisbane.
The result continues coach John Aloisi's stellar start at Roar, lifting them two points clear of Sydney FC on the league ladder, while the Glory remain second last. Spanish import Javier Hervas deftly flicked the ball into the path of Henrique, who held off a strong challenge and poked the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Ante Covic.
Defending champions Melbourne Victory downed Sydney FC 4-2 after trailing twice to lie third on the league standings. Albania striker Besart Berisha scored two goals for Melbourne in a rematch of last season's grand final, which served as a reminder that the improved Sky Blues still do not have Victory's measure having failed to beat them in their past seven attempts.
Former Asian Champion League winners Western Sydney Wanderers continued their revival with a thumping 3-0 win over Melbourne City. Second-half goals by Mitch Nichols and Mark Bridge either side of a maiden A-League effort by Federico Piovaccari sealed a third straight win for Tony Popovic's improving Wanderers side in Melbourne.
Newcastle Jets conceded an injury-time goal to draw 1-1 with Central Coast Mariners at home, while Wellington Phoenix compounded Adelaide United's woes with a thumping 4-2 win in New Zealand.