Brisbane Roar have dedicated their 2-1 win over Perth Glory to Michael Valkanis after the veteran coach made an emergency dash to Greece due to a family medical emergency.
Valkanis jetted to Greece just hours before Friday night’s match in Perth, leaving assistant Borja Lema in charge.
Glory skipper Adam Taggart opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Christopher Long levelled the scores via a 30th-minute penalty.
Christopher Long of the Roar runs with the ball across the ground during the round 13 A-League Men match between Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar at HBF Park.Credit: Getty Images
Samuel Klein scored the winner in the 50th minute, with the victory snapping a three-match losing streak and lifting Brisbane, on 21 points, into third spot.
Glory, on 16 points, would have risen to fourth with a win, but the defeat leaves them in ninth.
“This win is dedicated for Michael, it’s very special, and we are behind him and his family,” Lema said.
“So very happy for the guys, and it’s an important win for us.
“We don’t know yet when he’ll return. We are in communication with him, and we are behind him and behind his family.”
Glory opened the scoring when Trent Ostler’s cleverly flicked pass set up Taggart, who expertly knocked the ball down into his own path before unleashing a confident finish low to the left.
