John Aloisi Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar A-League 21012017Getty

Aloisi: People shouldn't underestimate Brisbane Roar

Coach John Aloisi labelled Brisbane Roar's 2-0 AFC Champions League (ACL) win over Shanghai Shenhua as "the biggest" of his time at the A-League club.

In chilly conditions in Shanghai, Brandon Borrello and Tommy Oar struck in the first half to lay the platform for the win in the ACL qualifier at Hongkou Stadium. 

Gus Poyet's Shenhua, with Carlos Tevez and Obafemi Martins up front, were booed off at half-time and despite huffing and puffing in the second half, could not find a way past Brisbane goalkeeper Jamie Young.

Article continues below

Roar stun Tevez and Co.

Carlos Tevez Shanghai Shenhua v Brisbane Roar AFC Champions League 08022017Getty

"Since I've been up been here, that's probably been the biggest win - especially because a lot of people really didn't give us a chance of beating them," Aloisi told reporters after the game.

"But we showed we're not only a good footballing team but we can also fight when we have to and defend."

Aloisi added: "People shouldn't underestimate the culture we've got at Brisbane Roar.

"We've shown that time and time again. It was a brilliant result - a tough game, but bloody hell, it was an unbelievable atmosphere, and a really good performance.

"We know it's going to be difficult, we know we've got another big couple of months coming up, but this is the position we wanted to be in."

Roar have qualified for Group E, where they'll face J.League champions Kashima Antlers, Thai League champions Muangthong United and fellow qualifiers Ulsan, who signed former Brisbane midfielder Dimitri Petratos this week.

Brisbane hit the front in just the second minute in Shanghai when Borrello volleyed Oar's cross into the net at the back post.

Those two players swapped roles for the visitors' second goal, with Oar thumping Borrello's cutback past Li Shuai in the 40th minute.

Shenhua surged after the break, with Young palming an effort from Martins onto the post, but the hosts couldn't find a way through.

"We knew that it was going to be a tough game with the way Shanghai Shenhua play and their passionate supporters giving them a lift," Aloisi said.

"I thought we played well in the first half.

"In the second half they got on top, we had to defend and we may have gotten lucky a few times but it's a great result."

Oar paid tribute to Brisbane's team cohesion after the match. 

"Because of the conditions in Brisbane we're very fit so when we come and play in the cold we can run a lot more," he said.

"That was a big advantage for us today."

Brisbane's next test is against Melbourne City in the A-League on Saturday night and they are likely to be without full-back Jack Hingert, who was subbed off in the first half against Shenhua with an ankle injury.

Advertisement