Roar continues to purr

In a fairytale effort for his new club Brisbane Roar, Barbarouses broke a 73-minute deadlock with a classy finish that finally saw the ball go past goalkeeper Mark Paston for a 1-0 triumph.

After leaving Wellington for more match time with the Roar, the 20-year-old striker will forever remember his first goal for Brisbane, and third in the A-League.

A deft pass from Roar skipper Matt McKay gave Barbarouses space at the top of the box and he coolly curled a pin-point right-footer around Paston and just inside the right upright, much to the joy of the small crowd of 7339.

Herbert overlooked the livewire forward for much of last season as the Phoenix went to within one match of the grand final, and also left him behind when he took the All Whites to the World Cup.

"The most important thing is two wins at home, and to get my first goal of the season is great as well," said Barbarouses, who has played once for NZ.

The victory puts Brisbane, second last in 2009-10, equal top of the A-League ladder with Perth (7) after three matches to reward coach Ange Postecoglou's fresh and exciting approach with his young, new-look team.

While the Roar controlled the game for longer periods and had more clear cut chances, it took its time in celebrating Postecoglou's 45th birthday with a goal.

Barbarouses's effort ensured a deserved result for the home side after New Zealand's FIFA World Cup hero Paston denied it two golden chances in the first half.

The Phoenix only had Paston to thank that they went into halftime level after he produced two brilliant saves in the final five minutes of a willing first half to prevent one-on-one shots by Mitch Nichols and Thomas Broich.

The All Whites stopper, who only conceded two goals in NZ's unbeaten World Cup campaign, was the only man to beat on both occasions.

It was Barbarouses who delivered a nifty flick pass for Nichols to make his 40m run, while Enrique put Broich into the clear in the box only for the keeper to make a sensational reflex lunge to the right.

Roar keeper Michael Theoklitos also paid his way with a fine block on the dangerous Paul Ifill immediately after Brisbane's goal.

The Roar looked more dangerous in possession, often making incisions down the sidelines, however its deliveries into the box regularly let it down.

Wellington, though, had as many shots at goal as they attempted to exploit a height advantage by looking to the head of 191cm striker Dylan Macallister.