Brisbane Roar skipper Matt Smith has heaped praised on the team spirit that fuelled the side’s stunning win over Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.
Brisbane Roar skipper Matt Smith has heaped praised on the team spirit that fuelled the side-s stunning win over Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.
After a round one loss to Perth Glory, Brisbane needed a win against former coach Ange Postecoglou-s side and did so in style – netting twice in two first-half minutes before adding three in the second half to round out a 5-0 score line.
Midfielders Thomas Broich, Erik Paartalu and Mitch Nichols each scored their first goals of the season while last year-s Hyundai A-League Golden Boot winner Besart Berisha got off the mark with two of his own.
“I think for us, we had that cohesion on Saturday night,” Smith said after yesterday-s pool recovery session.
“[Our game against] Perth was a bit disjointed and we were probably a tad bit rusty.
“You could tell that the players, A, we wanted it and B, we worked together and we put in together.
“Above anything else, it felt like the boys wanted the game.”
Matches between two sides have drawn 18 goals in past four matches, including 13 from the Roar, in a mini streak that has seen the Brisbane team undefeated against their southern opponents.
Smith sees the exciting rivalry growing further in the future.
“If you look at the last couple of years in the games against Melbourne, there-s always been goals, there-s always been arguments, there-s always been entertainment which is good for the A-League,” he said.
“I-m sure it-ll continue for the games we-ve got left against them.
“It-s always nice to win, first and foremost, but it-s always nice to beat Melbourne as well.”
The Roar now direct their focus to their round three Trans-Tasman clash with Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.
