First-half goals from Brandon Borrello and Tommy Oar was enough for Roar to triumph in Shanghai on Wednesday night and secure their place in the AFC Champions League Group stage.

"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."

Winger Oar credited the victory to a strong whole-team performance.

"There are no star individuals in our team but we play well together and that was the most important thing," Oar said.

"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.

“That was a big advantage for us today."