Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou says his players will get better with every AFC Champions League match, following their 2-0 loss to FC Tokyo at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou says his players will get better with every AFC Champions League match, following their 2-0 loss to FC Tokyo at Suncorp Stadium.
For the first time in two seasons, the Roar met an opponent that was at least their equal in every department and their superior in many more.
Goals to the sharp Japanese Emperor’s Cup winners on either side of half-time delivered a 2-0 final scoreline, which seemed a fair reflection of the contest.
“You’re obviously disappointed with the result, but as expected it was a tough game and they were a tough side,” said Postecoglou.
“I thought we were a little bit nervous to start with, which was understandable; it was the first experience for a lot of the players at this level.”
“I always felt that the first game would probably be the one where we’d get really tested, because it’s a new experience for the boys.”
But while Postecoglou admitted it was a nervous start and an awakening in some ways, he remained optimistic of a revival and was far from ready to let his club be thought of as simply there to make up the numbers.
Next scheduled to face powerful Chinese outfit Beijing Guoan away from home on March 20, Postecoglou said his troops were now aware of the standard needed and predicted improvement in each match to come.
“You can take heart from it; it’s an experience. I’m sure the players now know the level we’re playing at and what’s required,” said Postecoglou.
“We’ve just got to play more like ourselves. It’s not something that you just walk into and expect to feel comfortable in straight away.”
“Whenever it is a new experience, it takes a while for people to find their feet. I think tonight will be good for us, the experience will keep us in good stead for the next games.”
“We’ve taken a first step in this competition; it’s a tentative one at best, but it’s still a first step, there’s still five games to go and I’ve got a feeling we’ll get better and better as the tournament goes along.”
Massimo Murdocca, one of Brisbane’s best on the night, will have his shoulder assessed after taking a number of big spills, courtesy of the physical Tokyo defence.
