GOSFORD, New South Wales (Interstat) — In a dramatic conclusion to the year’s final A-League match, substitute Justin Vidic scored in the second minute of stoppage time to deliver Brisbane Roar a 2-1 comeback victory over the Central Coast Mariners on Wednesday at Industree Group Stadium.

The match, played on New Year’s Eve 2025, defied pregame projections and provided a thrilling finish in front of the home supporters. Statistical models had forecast a closely contested draw, but Vidic’s late heroics secured all three points for the visiting Roar and handed the defending champions a disappointing start to their new campaign.

The Mariners struck first, capitalizing on early momentum in the 22nd minute. Defender Will Kennedy provided the service from the right flank, finding fellow defender Nathan Paull at the back post. Paull headed the ball across the face of goal for an unmarked Michael Ruhs, who had entered as an early substitute, to nod home from close range.

The home side’s lead was short-lived, however. Just seven minutes later, Brisbane Roar found an equalizer through an unlikely source. A well-worked set piece culminated in defender Lucas Mauragis arriving late in the penalty area to smash a volley past the Mariners’ goalkeeper, leveling the score at 1-1. The assist was credited to substitute Henry Hore, who was shown a yellow card just three minutes prior to his contribution.

The first half concluded with the teams deadlocked, but not before two more cautions were issued. Central Coast’s Will Kennedy received a yellow in the 32nd minute, and Brisbane’s Youstin Salas, also a substitute, was booked just before halftime.

The second half saw both teams push for a winner, with chances created at both ends, but regulation time expired with the score unchanged. As the match entered a announced two minutes of added time, Brisbane launched one final attack. The decisive play originated from Salas, who atoned for his earlier booking by driving into the Mariners’ half and slipping a precise through ball into the path of Vidic. The Brisbane substitute kept his composure, slotting a low shot inside the far post to spark wild celebrations from the traveling contingent.

The dramatic goal, confirmed in the 92nd minute, sealed the comeback. The match’s final action saw Central Coast’s Nathan Paull receive a yellow card in the 95th minute as frustration boiled over for the hosts.

With the result, Brisbane Roar begins its A-League season with a perfect record of one win and no losses, also moving to 1-0 across all competitions. The Mariners, meanwhile, are left to ponder a defeat after taking an early lead, starting their title defense with a record of 0-1 in both the A-League and overall.

The victory was particularly satisfying for Brisbane, overcoming a pregame projection that gave them a 64.1 percent probability to win but also anticipated a 1-1 draw. Instead, their persistence and impactful substitutions proved the difference, with goal-scorers Ruhs and Vidic, along with assist providers Hore and Salas, all entering the match from the bench. Central Coast’s goalscorer, Ruhs, was also a substitute, highlighting the depth both managers utilized in the season’s opening fixture.