AARON COOPER
Brisbane Roar Head Coach John Aloisi says his side’s performance against the Newcastle Jets on Sunday was simply not good enough.
Despite entering the clash as strong favourites and a near full-strength side, the hapless Roar were no match for the Jets who recorded their first victory under new coach Mark Jones with a 4-0 win.
A first half own goal and three goals after the break from Nigel Boogaard, Steven Ugarkovic and Devante Clut secured a memorable win for the majority of the 8,335-strong crowd inside McDonald Jones Stadium.
Aloisi says whilst it’s disappointing to be so soundly beaten on the scoreboard, it was the effort on the pitch that was of greater concern.
“I’m disappointed with the result but more so in the performance. We weren’t good from start to finish,” he said.
“Newcastle were good, you have to give them credit, but that’s not the level that you expect from Brisbane Roar.
“It wasn’t good enough, not just from one player but from everyone.
“I’m not going to point a finger at any individual because at the end of the day I’m responsible, but the performance wasn’t acceptable.”
It was the first time in 34 encounters between the two sides that the Roar had conceded four goals, and the first time since February 2014 that they haven’t found the net against the Jets.
Despite trailing for the vast majority of the match, the Roar dominated possession and shots. The visitors finished with almost 64% possession, 15 shots to 10 as well as making an additional 262 passes.
Our best chance of the first half came when Tommy Oar let fly with this missile from 25 yards #FEELTHEROAR #NEWvBRI https://t.co/T2hahcbZL8
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) October 16, 2016
The absence of captain Matt McKay’s composure and leadership in midfield was notable. Replacement Jacob Pepper made his first A-League start for Brisbane and at times looked out of place in a side that struggled to threaten an inexperienced Newcastle defence.
Newcastle coach Mark Jones was proud of his side’s ability to put four goals past a side expected to challenge for the 2016-17 title but was more pleased with the shutout of the Roar’s potent attack.
“To score four is magnificent, but the clean sheet was the goal of the day and we achieved that,” Jones said.
“The entire squad all did a job and to have two out of the back four replaced this week and then keep a clean is terrific.”
Jets midfielder Andrew Nabbout (below) was amongst the Jets best. While he didn’t find the net, his persistent threat on the right wing caused issues for a Roar defence that looked out of sorts.
Nabbout’s cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by defender Jack Hingert to open the scoring, before he added polish to a fine Jets performance, setting up former Roar young gun Devante Clut for the game’s fourth goal late in the second half.
Jones praised Nabbout’s performance and believes he can get even better.
“He’s always had potential and his confidence just gets better. Some of his touches today were incredible and his control was first class,” Jones said.
The four-goal drubbing continued a theme of blowouts in Round Two of the A-League, following on from Saturday’s 4-0 victory by Sydney FC and Tim Cahill’s debut screamer in Melbourne City’s 4-1 derby win.
