Head Coach Robbie Fowler has praised his side’s performance in a narrow 1-0 defeat to defending champions Sydney FC in Sydney on Friday night.
The Roar more than matched it with the ladder leaders but fell just short with a second half penalty from Adam Le Fondre proving to be the difference.
Despite playing with 10-men for the majority of the second stanza as Scott Neville was shown a second yellow card, a whole-team performance from Fowler’s men frustrated the Sky Blues with the Head Coach heaping praise on his players.
“I can’t fault our lads tonight, I thought we were excellent coming here and taking it to Sydney [FC] – lots of credit should go to our boys tonight,” Fowler said.
“Every lad put a shift in – we were probably just a little unlucky.
“We knew we had to be disciplined, which we were. We’ll take it on the chin, move forward and just try to be better.
On the back of two consecutive clean sheets, Brisbane’s defence stood strong with the Sky Blues’ notoriously potent front line rarely afforded a sight at goal.
After going a man down, Jamie Young was clearly intent on not being beaten despite being called into a number of strong saves, including a miraculous double save to deny Luke Brattan & Le Fondre.
The Roar continued to push in search of a late equaliser & were unlucky not to draw level in the contest’s dying stages.
“We’re somewhat disappointed to not get something out of tonight. I think when we down to 10 men, we showed real character, kept the ball well, and kept believing,” striker Scott McDonald said post-match.
“The penalty hurt us but we stuck to our task, kept going and kept believing.
“You can see we’re growing in belief. We can’t be too disheartened, we push on and get ready for a big game next week.”
Up next, the Roar return to Suncorp Stadium to face Adelaide United on Saturday, 8 February (6:30pm). Get your tickets HERE.
GOALS
Sydney FC – Le Fondre 57′ – 1-0
Scott Neville is deemed to handball in the area & Le Fondre converts the ensuing penalty kick.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2019/20 – Round 17: Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Friday, 31 January
Sydney FC 1 (Le Fondre 57′ pen.)
Brisbane Roar 0
Half-time: 0-0
