Brisbane City put up a commendable fight in a pulsating Australia Cup Round of 32 clash but ultimately fell short against the Western Sydney Wanderers, who secured a 2-1 victory.
NPL Queensland outfit Brisbane City fought valiantly in a 2-1 Australia Cup defeat to the Western Sydney Wanderers. (Image: Richard Haines Photography)
A vibrant crowd at Imperial Corp Stadium hoped for an upset, but their optimism was dampened early. Within the first seven minutes, the A-League Men side raced into a two-goal lead. Gabriel Cleur and Alex Badolato scored close-range goals that stunned the home fans and hinted at a challenging evening ahead.
Brisbane City Head Coach Peter Gaffney, who has been at the helm for just over a week following Karl Dodd's departure, admitted that his team was initially caught off guard by a tactical adjustment from the Wanderers.
“Their system tweak caught us off guard,” Gaffney said post-match.
“We had to adapt, and once we did, we started to settle, get on the ball. In the second half, we became more aggressive and took control. I can’t fault any of our boys from 1 to 17.”
Brisbane City, a club with a storied history, is in a transitional phase. As a foundation member of the old National Soccer League (NSL), the club won consecutive NSL Cups in 1977 and 1978, with Gaffney’s father, Larry, part of those successful squads. The team has been integrating several young players this season, with eight in the starting line-up against the Wanderers being 23 or younger.
One of these promising talents, 18-year-old Noah Maieroni, sparked a dramatic finish with a deflected shot that reduced the deficit to 2-1 with 12 minutes remaining.
Maieroni has been training with Brisbane Roar’s first team and is expected to leap to the professional ranks soon.
Gaffney is confident about the youngster's future.
“Noah is an excellent player with the mentality of a seasoned pro. I’ve told him that I’m either going to lose him to an A-League side this year or next—it’s just a matter of time,” the coach said.
Gaffney also emphasized the value of facing professional opposition, noting the developmental benefits and the need to maintain courage amongst his players.
“It’s great for their development and exposure, but the key is never to take a backward step. We want to give our players the tools to succeed and make their mark on the football map,” he added.
City nearly forced extra time in the game's dying moments when substitute Will Dent’s point-blank shot was expertly saved at close range by Wanderers goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas. Despite the near miss, the home fans showed their appreciation for the team’s spirited performance as the final whistle blew.
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Gaffney acknowledged the support and envisages a new era for the club.
“My old man played for this club and won the Phillips Cup twice. We have a fantastic venue and a passionate fanbase. It’s time to awaken this sleeping giant,” he said.
“One of my staff members mentioned that this is the new City. We want to bring fans back with beautiful football.”
With the focus shifting back to the NPL Queensland, where the club is mid-table with no risk of relegation or chance of a Finals Series spot, Gaffney will now aim to leave his mark with the long-term goal of restoring the club to its former glories.
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