Brisbane Roar celebrate A-League title with ticker-tape parade

Updated

Fans lined the streets for a ticker-tape parade through Brisbane's CBD in honour of the A-League champion Brisbane Roar.

The Roar scored a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Western Sydney Wanderers in Sunday's grand final to secure their third championship in four years.

The decider was played out in front of a near-capacity crowd at Lang Park with even more fans spilling out of the Caxton Street pub, more famous for its patronage of raucous Queensland Maroons fans during State of Origin.

Brazilian import Henrique was the hero for the Roar, knocking home the extra-time winner as the team added to the 2011 and 2012 titles.

The appearance of striker Besart Berisha, who scored Brisbane's first goal in the 86th minute, was also eagerly anticipated at the parade with the fiery Albanian heading to Melbourne Victory next season after three stellar seasons with the Roar.

After being crowned back-to-back champions, last season turned into a transitional period as now Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou handed the reins to Rado Vidosic before current manager Mike Mulvey was appointed.

Mulvey got the team back in the winner's circle but they eventually fell just short of last year's grand final with a semi-final loss to the Wanderers.

He remedied that in his first full season in charge, leading the side to the Premier's Plate with a whopping 10-point cushion atop the table before taking them all the way to a third championship.

The Roar is now the A-League's most successful franchise, passing two-time champions Sydney FC (2006, 2010) and Melbourne Victory (2007, 2009).

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman and Lord Mayor Graham Quirk were on hand at the parade's finish line in King George Square to thank the players and coaching staff for their efforts this season.

Councillor Quirk presented the team with certificates on Tuesday as the team had already received the keys to the city after their first title.

Topics: a-league, soccer, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

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