Henrique's first-half strike secured a 1-0 win for Brisbane Roar as Adelaide United wasted their chances and failed to get anything out of Friday's A-League encounter.

Adelaide could have been a goal to the good within the first minute after Craig Goodwin found space to put in a low delivery across the face of goal.

The ball was searching for Fabio Ferreira, but James Donachie did enough to put off his opponent from taking a shot.

Minutes later, Brisbane had a chance themselves when Dimitri Petratos's ball came off Adelaide's Tarek Elrich and onto the post before the goalkeeper gathered.

In the 17th minute, Brisbane took the lead against the run of play when Henrique drove into the final third to line up a shot.

Adelaide players backed off their opponent, which allowed him to take a shot from just inside the box and it glided into the top right corner.

Petratos had a chance to double Brisbane's lead shortly afterwards, but his effort bounced off the post and his follow-up shot went soaring over the bar.

The home side struggled to get back in contention, and after the break, Cirio came close when he found space in the box, but his effort went wide.

Adelaide began to control possession and once again came close to finding the equaliser after a free kick was taken quickly on the edge of the area.

Ferreira went for a shot at the near post, but it was deflected out for a corner, which eventually came to nothing.

Pablo Sanchez arguably had the best chance of the game for Adelaide when he looked through on goal with two minutes of normal time remaining, but his limp effort went straight into the body of goalkeeper Jamie Young.

The home side had numerous opportunities to get themselves back into the game, but Roar were able to hold on to take all three points.