Brisbane Roar head coach Michael Valkanis delivered a powerful message in his post-match press conference following Sunday’s Isuzu UTE A-League victory.
The Roar moved fourth in the standings after a dominant display which saw them defeat Newcastle Jets 3-0 on the Sunshine Coast in Round 4.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
A first-half header from talented young defender Lucas Herrington saw the home side open the scoring before a Jay O’Shea penalty coupled with a late James Delianov own goal saw the Roar get back to winning ways.
However, despite his side scoring three goals in the dominant victory over the Jets, Valkanis was more impressed with the way in which the Roar were able to completely nullify the opposition when it came to creating any real, clear-cut chances as they secured not just their second win of the season, but also their third clean sheet.
MATCH REPORT: Roar return to winning ways as 17-year-old Aussie gun enjoys moment to remember
“Everyone is on about the aesthetic and with the ball,” said Valkanis after the game when speaking to reporters.
“But I’ve learned in Europe you need to keep clean sheets.
“You need to work hard. And there was that moment in the game where they did have that momentum, that we didn’t look like we were going to concede, and we did the hard yards.
“We worked hard, like I like to say, we fight. What I mean by that is that we were there making it very difficult for them, and then, we got out of that period and we got another two goals, which was fantastic.”
Asked whether or not he feels enough credit is given to sides who defensively resilient, Valkanis was clear with his answer, and believes having a stable defensive core is key to any success they’ll have.
“We’re pretty, I can say intense, and we go a lot one one-on-one, and it’s credit to the players, because they’ve worked very hard in preseason, and they did it really well,” he said.
SUNDAY NEWS: Visa star ends five-year drought to inspire Sky Blues to third-straight win
“It still pains me the Wellington game that we dropped points. I mention it all the time because we should never have dropped those points there, and it didn’t quite work out for us. And I think the boys felt it that day as well.
“Clean sheets are important, and we don’t talk a lot about them in this country.”
He continued: “I remember from 2010 when I started coaching, everything was about the aesthetic and the beauty. That’s fine, but there’s four moments in the game, and coaches will know that.
“One is with the ball, without the ball, and the two transition moments and without the ball, we’re showing that we’re doing really well and in terms of our structures and our plans, and even the week before playing the Champions, I don’t remember too many opportunities.
“So I’m really happy with the way they’re taking on board the game plan, working really hard and executing it on game day, and clean sheets are super important.
“I think our national team coach (Tony Popovic) mentioned that maybe two or three weeks ago, which is, you know, he’s got all the experience in the world.
“He’s coached in Europe, and you really understand how important that part of the game is.”
Brisbane Roar resume their Isuzu UTE A-League campaign after the upcoming FIFA International window, when they face Auckland FC in New Zealand on November 23.
