For the first time since taking the helm of Brisbane Roar, former Dutch international Frans Thijssen lost his rag with the A-League champions.
It wasn’t the scoreless result at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday night – Brisbane’s fifth consecutive winless game at home – that caused his anger but his team’s lack of faith in their passing game.
Watching the Roar continually squander possession with ill-conceived long balls against bigger Sydney FC opponents, Thijssen frustrations boiled over for a dressing-room spray at halftime.
“The first half was not good enough,” the normally affable coach said.
“I told them at halftime that this was the first time I was angry at halftime because that was not the team I know.
“They (Sydney) are a physically a lot stronger than we are and if you lose a lot of one-on-ones you never get back into the game.”
Thijssen, who took over from the sacked Mike Mulvey five weeks ago, also lamented the absence of skipper Matt McKay on Socceroos duty.
Without the livewire midfielder, adding to the lost experience and nous of German maestro Thomas Broich (ankle), the Roar struggled to mount gilt-edged attacking raids despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession.
Rival coach Graham Arnold noted “a clear change in style” under Thijssen, who is looking forward to having Broich, McKay and goalkeeper Michael Theo back after the Asian Cup.
With sixth-placed Melbourne City (16 points) enjoying a 5-2 win over Newcastle, Brisbane (12) have now slipped four points out of the finals zone.
The injury-hit Sky Blues (18) are also under pressure following six matches without a win but Arnold, proud of his troops for their efforts in the oppressive Queensland conditions, is unfazed.
“You don’t win anything in December or January,” he said.
“The most important thing is we regroup.
“The Asian Cup has probably come at a great time for us. More than Melbourne City and other teams who are flying at the moment.
“I’ve not experienced the type of injuries we’ve had in 15 years of coaching with three ACLs in four weeks and then Sasa (Ognenovski) with a hip-nerve injury that puts him out for 12 months.”
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