Brisbane Roar coach Frans Thijssen hopes his side’s gritty win over Western Sydney Wanderers FC on Wednesday night can act as a springboard to salvage their Hyundai A-League title defence.
Thijssen registered his first win since taking the reins from Mike Mulvey with Henrique’s fifth-minute penalty giving them a hard-earned 1-0 win at a slippery Pirtek Stadium.
Despite a disappointing opening couple of months to the season, the result should lifted the mood around the club and has catapulted Brisbane into the top six for the first time in 2014/15.
“It’s feels good. Games like this you have to defend the 1-0 and that’s what we did,” a content Thijssen said.
“The mentality of this group is great and they all work like hell.
“There’s a lot to improve on….but the good thing today was they kept the (clean sheet). That gives the goalkeeper confidence and the whole team.
“If you’re 1-0 up its important to keep the nil because you only need the one goal like today to get the three points. This will give the group confidence because it’s not easy to come here to Sydney and win.”
The victory was just the tonic for Brisbane after they received some bad news on Tuesday with confirmation key playmaker Thomas Broich would be sidelined until the New Year due to ankle surgery.
The German has been carrying the problem for the last few weeks and Thijssen said it was better to get him fixed up now rather than try and nurse Broich through until the end of the season.
“You can keep him on the field for some time but if it hurts and gets worse every time, it’s better if you think about the program and you give him a little rest,” the Roar boss said.
“If we can get him back as quick as possible and do the surgery right away it will help the team and Thomas as well if he can return totally fit again.”
Brisbane have just four days before they have to back up with a clash against Melbourne City at AAMI Park, with Thijssen admitting skipper Matt Smith and midfielder Matt McKay would be in doubt as they are carrying knocks.
