The current Australian Champions entered the game as massive favourites against their Asian counterparts but it soon became obvious that it was going to be anything but an easy night for the Brisbanites. Not only did Tokyo FC play a similar style of game to Brisbane, but it appeared they were at least as good at it. As the game wore on it became evident that they were in fact much better at it, and that Brisbane needed a minor miracle to even escape with a point. That unfortunately didn't eventutate and they were quite clearly the inferior team on the night beaten by, what has to be said, a very classy and clinical opponent, 2 goals to nil.
So what went wrong and can things be rectified?
Firstly coach Postecoglou admitted before the game that his team was very much 'in the dark' as to the quality of their opponents, despite the fact that assistant coach Rado Vidosic had travelled to Japan to watch the Tokyo side unluckily lose (apparently) the weekend before this match.
From what I did read Vidosic was impressed by what he saw and supposedly told all involved that they would be difficult opponents.
It doesn't appear though that the message was totally heeded by the players and around 20 minutes into the game it seemed that the Roar players were quite shellshocked, and perhaps overawed by the speed, technical ability, and passing accuracy of their opponent. It was nothing like what they had experienced in their last 2 years in the A-League, and as a result they struggled to come to grips with the game thereafter.
One of the problems Brisbane Roar will have to overcome to progress in this competition is an over reliance in concentrating on their own game, and not concerning themselves enough with their opposition. That factor has largely worked very well for them in the A-League, as they have been the quality side of the competition the past 2 seasons, and more often than not opponents have failed to counter the style they employ, which ironically is very much the same style that the Japanese, Korean and Chinese teams bring to the table.
To progress any further form the group stages of this tournament I'd suggest that the coaching staff look at a lot more at footage of the remaining teams they will play within their group.
It was patently obvious that Tokyo FC management had done so in respect to Brisbane before this match. They gave them no time whatsover to settle into a rhythm, stopped them playing out from the back, and correctly pinpointed Broich, Berisha & perhaps Erik Paartalu as the danger men. All 3 were nullified to a great extent during proceedings.
Secondly, assuming that is carried out the next question is can Brisbane adapt to counter the playing style of their Asian opponents, who are expectedly of similar ilk to Tokyo FC technically?
You'd have to think it is doubtful as even in the A-League this year, teams have learnt to play smarter against them, either 'parking the bus' or playing a high pressing game which at times Brisbane have failed to overcome, as evidenced by that 5 match losing streak in the middle of the season. They certainly haven't dominated the competition as they did last season which suggests that other teams have not only improved, they have also learnt to counterract their playing style.
During the poor run and at other times this season coach Postecoglou has murmured that his team will keep doing what they are doing, playing out from the back, just need to be quicker in transition, more penetrative in attack, and more clinical with their finishing. Recently all those things have pretty much come to fruition and things were looking pretty rosy leading into this match, with the possible exception of their prior game against Melbourne Heart where they failed to really impress in a 1-1 draw.
Quite obviously 'doing what they are doing' isn't going to cut in in Asia on the evidence of this match. Being quicker in transition will help, but only bring them up to speed with their opponents, and without that ability to move the ball quicker from defence to attack, their penetration and ability to create, let alone finish chances will be severely compromised.
As Fox Sports commentator Mark Bosnich probably correctly suggested at half time during this game; "Brisbane need to start knocking some long balls over the top (not exclusively but occasionally) just to get their opponent facing their own goal and on the back foot". The fact that did not happen in the second half suggests that coach Postecoglou has either;
a) not come to grips with that realisation yet
or
b) isn't interested in emloying the method at all.
I'd say the latter is more accurate and it could well be a case of 'adapt or perish' for the Roar.
After the game both the coach and players admitted they were surprised that the opposition were of such quality, but that they would gain a lot from the experience and be better for it.
That maybe so but it's hardly likely this team will carry the same confidence into their remaining matches in the group and just being aware of how good the oppositon could be, and lifting their intensity to match that of their opponent isn't likely to 'bring home the bacon'. A very careful study of their opposition, employing methods of beating them and 'throwing some caution to the wind' are going to be tantamount to any future success in the competition, coupled with the realisation that their A-League status just isn't going to be good enough.
Both Adelaide United & Central Coast secured much better results 'on the road' in their respective games in the competition, against seemingly just as tough opposition. They both play a different style of game to Brisbane and probably a less predictable one to Asian opposition. Neither were in peak form leading in (especially Adelaide!) but probably gave a little more respect to their opponent, as a result of their indifferent form, and the fact that they were the visitors.
Brisbane Roar will soon find themselves in much the same situation and will need to play with similar resolve to get any kind of favourable result.
