Few in Sydney will forget the start of Robbie Fowler's coaching career anytime soon after the former Liverpool legend dumped Sydney FC out of the FFA Cup in his debut match in the dugout.
Fowler's Brisbane Roar caused one of the shocks of the Cup after clinching a 2-0 win over the reigning A-League champions at Leichhardt Oval on Wednesday night. The Roar were unfancied by bookmakers but undeterred in their first competitive match under Fowler as a dogged, disciplined performance saw Brisbane progress to the round of 16.
Brisbane Roar's Jordan Courtney-Perkins competes for the ball with Rhyan Grant of Sydney FC.Credit:AAP
Fowler's Roar was slight on the spectacular, almost completely void of creative sparks but laborious, well-drilled and gritty. It left plenty wanting from Sydney FC who stumbled at the first hurdle despite their impressive off-season recruitment. There were promising signs in attack, led by the likes of new signing Kosta Barbarouses, English striker Adam Le Fondre and creative recruit Alex Baumjohann but that wasn't mirrored by their backline. Defensive frailties and momentary lapses were punished heavily by Brisbane.
For all of Sydney's added pace up front, they struggled to break down a disciplined Roar side under Fowler's guidance. What Brisbane lacked in creativity they made up in industry and through their high work rate came chances. None was better than that created by new Irish signing Jay O'Shea minutes before the break. A forward run and a prodded through ball exposed Sydney's backline napping to allow Stefan Mauk through on goal which stunned the home crowd by putting the Roar into the lead, albeit via helpful deflection from Sydney's Ryan McGowan.
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If coaches earn their keep with half-time team talks then Fowler gave an early hint that he could be value for Brisbane this year. Just one minute after the resumption of play and his side had doubled their tally against the A-League champions. Sydney's defence was out at sea and when a flat ball across the box from Roy O'Donovan exposed their frailties, the unmarked O'Shea made them suffer. The Irishman made no mistake from inside the box, rattling the roof of the net put the Roar on the cusp of a shock result.
Starting as he means to go on: Brisbane Roar coach Robbie Fowler.Credit:AAP
Sydney showed signs of clawing themselves back into the contest and their pace in transition provided their best hopes of a fighRead More – Source
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