Brisbane Roar has suffered a 2-1 defeat on the road against Perth Glory on Saturday night.
Two goals either side of half-time for the Glory proved decisive, despite a late strike from the penalty spot from Adam Taggart.
The striker, who now has two goals in his opening three games, says the Roar needed to be more creative in the front third.
“We’re all disappointed – tonight wasn’t to the standard we want to set,” Taggart said.
“We had some good possession in the back and middle third, but at the end of the day, games are won in the front third and we didn’t create enough chances.
“We’re all working hard. We’ll go back to training this week and begin preparations for next weekend.”
WATCH: Jamie Young’s double save against the Glory
The hosts were denied an early goal by a very strong early contender for Save of the Season with Jamie Young twice acrobatically denying Andy Keogh and the home side from point-blank range.
Young leapt high to his right to keep out the original header from Keogh, then springing to his feet and parrying a follow-up attempt onto the underside of the crossbar before claiming the ball on the turf.
The Glory skipper would open the scoring in the 15th minute, being the first to connect with a low cross at the near post from Chris Ikonimidis.
An open and flowing first half ensured the Roar kept the Glory defence busy, with Alex Lopez looking creative in a more advanced position.
A disappointed Head Coach John Aloisi reflected on his side’s slow start to the contest which proved costly on Saturday night in the West.
“I’m disappointed with our start. We know we are a better side than that,” Aloisi said.
“We should have had six points from our first two games but now we’ve got to go to Western Sydney and start the game well and get the three points.”
Brisbane began the second period in positive fashion, stringing together crisp passes in the attacking third in an attempt to break down the Glory’s back five.
“We showed once we started to play that we are a good side. That last ball let us down tonight but we got into some good areas, especially in the second half,” Aloisi added.
Perth doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark in unfortunate fashion for the Roar with a strong initial save from Young unfortunately rebounding into the net off an unsuspecting Connor O’Toole.
Adam Taggart’s 84th minute penalty ensured a grandstand finish with the Glory going down to 10-men in the process, but the home side saw out the remaining minutes for a narrow victory.
The Roar are on the road again next weekend, heading to regional New South Wales to face Western Sydney Wanderers in Mudgee on Saturday (4:35pm KO QLD time).
Brisbane’s next home at Suncorp Stadium is against Melbourne City on Saturday, 24 November (6:50pm KO).
KEY MOMENTS
- Captain Matt McKay became the first player to make 250 Hyundai A-League appearances for the Roar, and just the seventh across the Hyundai A-League to reach the milestone, as he led the side out at nib Stadium.
- An incredible double save from Jamie Young twice denied Glory captain Andy Keogh from point-blank range in the opening minutes.
- Tomislav Mrcela saw red for a challenge in the area, leading to a penalty for the visitors, and subsequent goal for Adam Taggart.
GOALS
Perth Glory – Keogh 15′ – 1-0
The Glory hit on the counter before Chris Ikonimidis fires a cross in at the near post which is met with a crisp finish from Andy Keogh.
Perth Glory – Own goal 63′ – 2-0
Keogh manages to find space for a shot from close range, which is kept out by Young before a defender is desperately unlucky as the follow-up rebounds into the net.
Brisbane Roar – Taggart 84′ – 2-1
Tomislav Mrcela is shown a red card for a foul on Adam Taggart in the area with the Roar striker burying the ensuing penalty.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 3: Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar FC
nib Stadium, Perth
Saturday, 3 November
Perth Glory 2 (Keogh 15′, Own goal 63′)
Brisbane Roar 1 (Taggart 84′)
Half-time: 1-0
