Devante Clut can add ‘Thomas Broich understudy’ to his impressive résumé after the youngster starred in Brisbane Roar’s 3-3 draw at home to Suwon Bluewings on Wednesday.
With Broich rested for the visit of last season’s K-League runners-up, interim Roar coach Frans Thijssen put his faith in National Youth League regular Clut.
The Dutchman was richly rewarded as the 19-year-old netted twice in the AFC Champions League Group G clash, including a spectacular late equaliser, to earn a point after the hosts threw away a 2-0 lead at Cbus Super Stadium.
WRAP: Brisbane Roar 3 Suwon Bluewings 3
“He did well of course,” Thijssen told Fox Sports when asked about the performance of the two-goal hero.
“He’s in the youth team playing the same position every week, it’s better we look to him than to put somebody on that position.
“If you change players in the team, the position game, it’s not the same anymore. If you play with the same team it’s always better. Changing a lot of positions doesn’t help.
Clut, whose only other senior appearance this season came as a substitute at home to Wellington Phoenix in January, has had to wait for a chance to prove his worth.
“The hardest part is being patient,” he said.
“All young players want to get a run. I knew when my chance came I had to be ready for it and I felt like I capitalised on it.
“It felt comfortable, I felt comfortable with the players around me and I felt I adapted as the game went on.
“They were very quick on the counterattack. Both teams wanted a goal so everyone was caught (out) in defence.”
Thijssen meanwhile blamed his team’s careless use of the ball for their failure to preserve that commanding early advantage,
“That was strange (to score) the first two,” he said.
“It doesn’t happen too often. After (they made it) 2-1 we had more problems.
“Overall I think we lost the ball too quick. We didn’t keep the ball long enough. We had spells in the game when we played well. But other spells when we didn’t play well.”
