Brisbane ace Rahmat Akbari celebrated his call up to the Afghanistan national squad by helping Roar to a huge 2-1 win over Wellington Phoenix.
Roar are priced at 9/4 to pick up the wooden spoon at the end of the season but moved off the bottom of the A-League ladder thanks to the win over the Nix.
Huge win
Roar were on the foot of the ladder heading into the game but their win, combined with Perth Glory losing at home to Sydney FC, saw them jump up one place.
It was Akbari that got the ball rolling when scoring after just seven minutes, before the visitors equalised in the 72nd minute. Thankfully for Roar, Henry Hore grabbed the winner just four minutes later.
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It capped a great end to the week for Roar and Akbari, who was born in Afghanistan before moving to Australia with his family when he was five.
The 21-year-old will now jet off to a training camp with the Afghan squad ahead of a friendly clash with Madagascar, which means he will miss some big A-League games.
Akbari to miss three games
The games against Perth Glory, Melbourne city and Western United are now off the agenda but coach Warren Moon says they are delighted for him.
"Rahmat is an exceptional young talent and we're very proud of him as a club," Moon said. "It's obviously a national team call-up and there's a lot going on in that part of the world and we've supported Rahmat during this time, knowing it's not easy for him, knowing he's got family back there.
"It's a really proud moment for him and a tough decision but he goes with our blessing and we hope he does well."
