Auckland FC have been denied their second win of the men’s A-League season when Brisbane Roar scored a stoppage-time equaliser at Suncorp Stadium.
Veteran defender Tom Aldred struck five minutes into added time to rescue a 1-1 draw for the home side.
Auckland had led since the 11th minute through captain Hiroki Sakai, whose first-time shot from outside the area beat Brisbane goalkeeper Dean Plusnin.
The goal came against the run of play after Auckland had struggled to gain possession during the opening exchanges.
Jonty Bidois worked hard on the left before laying the ball off for Logan Rogerson to deliver a cross.
Aldred headed clear, but only as far as Sakai, who drove a dipping right-footed shot towards the bottom corner.
Hiroki Sakai … struck his second-ever goal for Auckland FC.
Brisbane dominated much of the remaining play and twice struck the woodwork as they searched for a way back.
In the 39th minute, Justin Ngor’s looping effort beat goalkeeper Michael Woud but the shot rebounded off the left post.
Brisbane went close again four minutes after the restart when Luka Vidic cut inside and struck the crossbar with a left-footed shot.
Auckland FC appeared set to withstand the pressure and collect all three points before Brisbane’s final attack produced the equaliser.
Jay O’Shea’s corner was met by Aldred, whose initial header was blocked by Nando Pijnaker.
The ball fell back to the Scottish import, who turned and fired through a crowded penalty area, helped by a deflection.
The Aucklanders barely had time to take the restart before the final whistle went, to the elation of home supporters.
Watch the highlights
Result
Game played on Friday October 30, 2026
Brisbane Roar 1 (Tom Aldred 90+5′)
Auckland FC 1 (Hiroki Sakai 11′)
Men’s A-League
Club
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Wellington Phoenix
2
2
0
0
4
1
3
6
Western Sydney Wanderers
2
1
1
0
5
2
3
4
Auckland FC
3
1
1
1
6
7
-1
4
Brisbane Roar
2
1
1
0
3
2
1
4
Macarthur
2
1
1
0
3
2
1
4
Sydney
2
1
1
0
2
1
1
4
Newcastle Jets
2
0
2
0
3
3
0
2
Melbourne Victory
2
0
1
1
2
3
-1
1
Central Coast Mariners
2
0
1
1
2
4
-2
1
Melbourne City
2
0
1
1
2
4
-2
1
Adelaide United
1
0
0
1
1
2
-1
0
Perth Glory
2
0
0
2
2
4
-2
0
Table at 12am (NZT) on Saturday October 31, 2026
This story was first published on October 31, 2026.