There aren’t too many better feelings than seeing your team claim victory in the jaws of defeat.
Perth Glory have been christened the league’s comeback kings having recovered a two-goal deficit three times this season – winning two of those matches.
Everyone loves a good comeback so here is a snapshot of some of the greatest ever come-from- behind wins in the A-League.
1. Adelaide United 4-3 Brisbane Roar (02/02/19)
The league’s greatest ever comeback is also one of its more recent – as Adelaide United recovered a three-goal deficit against Brisbane Roar.
In a performance which will go down in A-League and Adelaide United folklore – the Reds found themselves three-goals behind after 43 minutes.
What was turning into an embarrassing performance at home – Isaias stepped up with a captain’s goal right on half-time to reinvigorate his side.
From here things just got weirder.
Two goals and three red cards later – Adelaide United found themselves level in the 75th minute before winger Nikola Mileusnic’s 97th minute winner sent the home fans into raptures.
Not only is this the A-League’s greatest comeback but will be remembered as one of the league’s greatest ever games.
2. Western Sydney Wanderers 5-4 Brisbane Roar (AET) (24/04/16)
This nine-goal thriller certainly gave the 20,000 strong crowd piled in at Parramatta Stadium their money’s worth.
At the peak of their powers – Brisbane Roar shot out to a 3-0 lead after 23 minutes and this tie seemed all but over. But the Wanderers dug deep and found themselves back in the contest through goals from Romeo Castelen and Brandon Santalab right before the break.
This five-goal opening half foreshadowed the chaos which would transpire as the Wanderers found themselves in front after a Castelen second half double – completing his hattrick – before Jamie Maclaren’s goal against the script sent this match into extra time.
The home supporters did well to galvanise their side as Dario Vidosic put the Wanderers in front early in the 102nd minute – sealing a famous Wanderers victory.
3. Brisbane Roar 2-2 Central Coast Mariners (Roar win 4-2 on penalties) (13/03/2011)
What is remembered as one of – if not the – greatest A-League finals moment, Brisbane Roar scored two goals in three minutes to send the Grand Final to penalties before eventually being crowned Champions.
After a goalless 90 minutes Extra-time commenced and the Central Coast Mariners got going.
Goals to Adam Kwasnick and Oliver Bozanic all but guaranteed Graham Arnold’s maiden A-League championship.
This seemed all the more likely as the clock begun to wind down.
But just as all hope seemed lost local hero Henrique found the back of the net in the 117th and it was suddenly game on.
With Brisbane throwing everything into a desperate attack – one more roll of the dice loomed as they won a corner in the 120th minute.
In what was the final play of the game Erik Paartalu rose in a congested box to head Brisbane’s second goal to send the match to penalties – something which seemed impossible five minutes before.
With momentum on their side, Brisbane won the match on penalties with Henrique converting the winning goal to send the A-League championship Brisbane’s way.
4. Sydney FC 2-3 Melbourne Victory (10/11/2012)
Two goals down away to Sydney FC – Ange Postecoglou brought on a fresh-faced Andrew Nabbout for his debut.
Little did the striker know he would become a Victory cult-hero 30 minutes after coming on – scoring a brace to guide the visitors to one of their greatest ever league wins.
Nabbout’s debut goal coming in the 75th minute – nine minutes after coming on – before Archie Thompson equalised in the 83rd.
Winning a corner late in the contest – Nabbout headed the winner in front of the Victory supporters to whom bolted over too after realising what he had achieved on his debut.
5. Perth Glory 4-3 Western Sydney Wanderers (13/01/19)
There have been a few high-scoring thrillers in season 2018/19 – none better than this.
Despite fielding a very young side – the Wanderers shot out to a two-goal lead in the 67th minute.
Diego Castro pulled one back soon after, breathing life into the match before the Wanderers hit back with another through Abraham Majok to lead 3-1 with 13 minutes to play.
Stunned by this youthful Wanderers outfit – the Glory hit back with three goals in seven minutes to get themselves out of jail and record a 4-3 win.
