Roar keep pressure, Phoenix rise

Brisbane Roar closed the gap on A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners to three points with a 3-0 win at Perth Glory. Brazilian striker Henrique gave the defending champions a 21st-minute lead and Besart Berisha then netted twice in quick succession in the 59th and 63rd minutes to put Brisbane in complete control. Henrique received his marching orders in the 65th minute to leave Brisbane with a man less for the closing stages, but that mattered little to the title hopefuls as they kept the pressure up on Central Coast, who are away to Melbourne Heart tomorrow. Perth's defeat saw them surrender third spot to Wellington Phoenix, who beat Sydney FC 1-0 thanks to a 13th-minute goal from Paul Ifill. In the day's other match, bottom club Gold Coast United drew 1-1 at home with Melbourne Victory, the hosts taking a 51st-minute lead through Maceo Rigters only for the visitors to level things up six minutes later through Carlos Hernandez.