A strong second half at Logan Metro Sports Park has seen Brisbane Roar record another pre-season victory against a Flight Centre Brisbane Premier League Select outfit.
A first-half strike from Adam Taggart, topped off by maiden goals from new recruits Tobias Mikkelsen and Dylan Wenzel-Halls sealed the Roar a 3-0 win in front of a strong crowd at our new training facility.
While pleased to get more minutes into his side’s legs, Head Coach John Aloisi says the performance wasn’t to the squad’s potential.
“With a four-day turnaround [from Tuesday’s match against Melbourne City], we knew that it would be challenging both physically and mentally,” Aloisi said.
“We played so well against City, but I didn’t think we moved the ball as well as we could have tonight.
“Tonight it wasn’t at the level we want and the standards we want to set. Physically though, we got what we needed out of the match.”
Brisbane’s Head Coach was pleased to see a number of his attackers regularly find themselves in dangerous areas.
“We know that Tobi [Mikkelsen] has goals in him and Eric [Bautheac] was unlucky not to score – he got into really good positions, as did Stefan Mauk,” Aloisi continued.
“We have to credit their keeper though, he made four or five incredible saves.”
The Roar were in control of proceedings from the early stages, carving the better chances of the opening half and crucially making one count in the 14th minute.
Great link-up play between new recruits Tobias Mikkelsen and Adam Taggart saw the latter net yet another pre-season goal to open the scoring.
The home side would continue to threaten the BPL Select side’s goal with shots regularly fired toward Taylor McGill’s goal.
The keeper, who hails from the Taringa Rovers, was up to the challenge on many occasions, denying Stefan Mauk from close range with acrobatic saves in quick succession late in the opening period.
The Hyundai A-League outfit again controlled possession and territory throughout the second half, and would make their dominance count with two goals in three minutes.
Tobias Mikkelsen first found the back of the net, curling a free-kick from the left wing that beat all in its way before young gun Dylan Wenzel-Halls fired a bullet of a strike past an outstretched arm moments later.
After touching down in Australia less than 48 hours, new Spaniard Alex Lopez was welcomed to his new fans at half-time.
“We know he’s going to be good for us and tonight was a good chance for him to see us play and to meet his new teammates. We’ve got a good group and he will be one of those that fits in well both on & off the pitch,” Aloisi concluded.
The outing also provided a long-awaited return to the starting lineup from former Greek international Avram Papadopoulos.
Don’t miss your chance to watch our boys be put through their paces at our 2018 Members Day next Saturday (October 6) at Logan Metro Sports Park.
We open our Hyundai A-League 2018/19 campaign on home turf at Suncorp Stadium against the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday, 21 October (4pm KO). Get your tickets HERE.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League Pre-Season
Brisbane Roar FC v Flight Centre Brisbane Premier League Select
Saturday, 29 September
Brisbane Roar 3 (Taggart 14′, Mikkelsen 75′, Wenzel-Halls 78′)
FCBPL Select 0
Half-time: 0-0
