A brace from Adam Taggart has fired Brisbane Roar to a maiden win of the Hyundai A-League season, seeing off Melbourne City at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Goals either side of the break from the number nine, which takes his season tally to five & sees him lead the Golden Boot race, secured the 2-0 victory.
Taggart’s clinical night in front of goal earned the praise of Head Coach John Aloisi who has also pleased with his side’s start.
“It was important tonight to create chances like we have done in the opening rounds and capitalise on those chances, which we did,” Aloisi said.
“I love him as a player. I know what he can do and I still think he’s only at 70% of where he can get to. His movement is incredible and he will score goals for us.
“We spoke about how important our first 15 minutes were, and tonight I thought we defended well, not just in the opening minutes but throughout.”
The first chance of the game came through the unlikely Connor O’Toole, whose darting run through a pair of City defenders ended with a deflected shot looping Eugene Galekovic but also fizzing just wide of the target.
Opportunities at both ends of the park came thick & fast in a frantic period partway through the first half. Luckless chances fell to both Lachlan Wales and Eric Bautheac before the Roar winger orchestrated the game’s opening goal moments later.
Following a short corner, the Frenchman curled in an inch-perfect ball to the near post which was met with an emphatic header from Adam Taggart, leaving Galekovic with little chance between the posts.
The Brisbane striker had his fourth goal of the season under his belt & came ever so close to another minutes later, getting on the end of some terrific play between Bautheac and Dane Tobias Mikkelsen.
The Roar headed into the break ahead for the first time this season, and the evening got even better shortly after the hour mark as Taggart again sent the Suncorp Stadium crowd into raptures.
Found by Spaniard Alex Lopez in space inside the area, he composed himself before firing a bullet of a strike into the roof of the net from close range.
The visitors defence was under attack after as the Roar hunted a third. O’Toole was first denied by a goal-line clearance before shots on target from both Taggart and second-half substitute Henrique forced the City defence into action.
That was as close as Brisbane came to a third goal, who along with a first win, also handed Club debuts to Stefan Nigro & young striker Dylan Wenzel-Halls.
“We were compact and we took our chances. We defended well, and it’s great to get a clean sheet at home,” captain Matt McKay said post-match.
“We put a lot of work in over the last two weeks and it was good to get the rewards today.”
The Roar are back on the road for the next two rounds, first facing Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium next Friday night (6:50pm KO).
STORY OF THE GAME
- Harrison Delbridge received a very early caution for a tackle from behind on Eric Bautheac with the Frenchman requiring early treatment.
- A brace from Adam Taggart’s brace takes his tally to five goals out of five matches – enough to see him lead the race for the Hyundai A-League’s Golden Boot.
- The Roar peppered the City goal with Connor O’Toole coming close on a number of occasions to a maiden Hyundai A-League goal.
GOALS
Brisbane Roar – Taggart 27’ – 1-0
A brilliant cross from Bautheac pays dividends as his ball is sent into the body of City defenders, with Taggart darting forward to fire home with a thunderous header.
Brisbane Roar – Taggart 66’ – 2-0
A scramble in the box ensues and Alex Lopez pokes the ball through to Taggart, who cuts inside past the defence, puts the ball onto his right boot and fires past Galekovic to secure his brace.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 5: Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday, 24 November
Brisbane Roar 2 (Taggart 27′, 66′)
Melbourne City 0
Half-time: 1-0
Crowd: 9,925
