Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson says he is proud of the way his team coped with Brisbane Roar’s second-half onslaught, despite tiring legs in humid conditions.
Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson says he is proud of the way his team coped with Brisbane Roar’s second-half onslaught, despite tiring legs in humid conditions at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
The Glory held on for a vital 1-0 win after Steven McGarry scored the go-ahead goal on 44 minutes with a cracking effort from outside the box.
After a reasonably even first half, with few decent chances before McGarry’s stunner, the home side piled on the pressure in the second period.
Perth hung on admirably, however, thanks to committed defending from the likes of Bas van den Brink, as well as some sloppy Brisbane finishing.
“Credit to Brisbane who came back and put us under a lot of pressure, but I thought the desperation in our defending was exceptional,” Ferguson told reporters after the match.
“They were throwing their bodies in front of the line, and they kept the two banks of four, making it difficult for them.
“Brisbane just kept coming at us. They had a couple of chances and we rode our luck a little bit, but we’ve played better than to get nothing.”
The win was Perth’s first on the road this season, and Ferguson said it came because of added determination from his players.
“I’ve been reasonably pleased with the way we’ve been playing away from home we’ve just been getting hurt with the odd goal here and there and making mistakes here and there,” he said.
“But I thought tonight it was a fantastic effort from the boys.”
Temperatures for the 8pm kick off remained at about 25 degrees, and humidity of 85 per cent meant the Perth players struggled later in the match, according to Ferguson.
Roar coach Mike Mulvey seemingly tried to exploit his Perth’s heavy legs by bringing on speedy youngsters Ben Halloran and Nick Fitzgerald in the second half and instructing his team to get them the ball.
The Glory defence remained disciplined, however, which Ferguson said was very heartening.
“Playing in that humidity, it’s the first time we’ve actually experienced that, or I have anyway, so I’m just wondering how the players must be feeling, playing in that heat all the time,” he said.
“It really did sap some of our players and they really did feel tired towards the 75-minute mark, and we hung in there.
“I’m really proud of every one of them, they put in a fantastic shift.
“They made it difficult for Brisbane to try and break us down, and we got the win.”
The Glory coach dismissed any talk of revenge for last year’s grand final loss at Suncorp Stadium.
“That final for me is gone. Brisbane won it and it’s time to move on. The focus tonight was to try to get three points,” he said.