Brisbane Roar has continued its strong pre-season form with a well-earned 2-1 win against the Wellington Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon.
A goal on debut from Adam Taggart helped Brisbane secure a confidence-building victory at CBUS Super Stadium, in the side’s final fixture ahead of next Tuesday’s FFA Cup Round of 32 home tie against Melbourne City FC.
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Brisbane’s Head Coach is pleased to secure a third pre-season win and get more valuable minutes into his entire playing squad.
“It was good to have our first hit-out against Hyundai A-League opposition. The boys have been working really hard in pre-season and today was another step in the right direction,” Head Coach John Aloisi said.
“It was a positive result and a positive performance but there is still plenty to work on and plenty of improvement to come.
“It was good to see Adam (Taggart) in his first appearance for the club score a goal. I know as a striker how important it is to hit the ground running when you join a new team.
“Eric (Bautheac) continued his good form in pre-season also, he’s scoring and getting into good positions.”
Wellington opened the scoring in the first half at Robina through Nathan Burns and held their one-goal advantage until the break.
Brisbane came out in the second half in determined fashion, dominating possession and field position that soon paid dividends.
The Roar drew level early in the second 45 through Brisbane’s French marquee winger, Eric Bautheac, who made no mistake with a well-timed volley after being found by Hingert’s pin-point cross.
Brisbane then took the lead via off-season recruit Adam Taggart who was on the spot to tap in from close range and help the Roar secure a third straight pre-season win.
Taggart, along with Championship winning defender Stefan Nigro and Danish import Tobias Mikkelsen played their first minutes in Roar orange against the New Zealand-based outfit at CBUS Super Stadium on Tuesday.
“It was great to see Adam, Stefan (Nigro) and Toby out on the park today. It was also important for our younger players to get a taste of what it is like to play against (Hyundai) A-League opposition,” Aloisi added.
“We will be well prepared for City and we want to win. It was important to win today and we want to win every game that we play in.”
After accounting for FQPL side Logan Lightning and NPLQLD’s Mackay & Whitsunday Magpies Crusaders in pre-season, the Roar will head to Dolphin Stadium full of confidence and ready to take on City in next Tuesday’s blockbuster FFA Cup Round of 32 clash.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League Pre-season: Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar FC
CBUS Super Stadium, Robina
Tuesday, 31 July
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Burns)
Brisbane Roar 2 (Bautheac, Taggart)
