Brisbane Roar midfielder Brett Holman says his side lacked composure in Sunday’s 1-0 semi-final defeat to Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Besart Berisha netted the game’s only goal with a 70th minute header from Fahid Ben Khalfallah’s header.
Sudden death: Victory v Roar pic special
Roar could only manage two shots on target during the contest, where Victory edged possession.
When asked what Brisbane lacked, Holman told Fox Sports: “Composure. We just didn’t keep the ball enough.
“First half was difficult, you know they’re going to fly out of the blocks, that’s what Victory do.
“You need to keep the ball to hurt them and we didn’t. We were too rushed, gave it away too easily and obviously when you turn it over, they’re that dominant and quick when they go forward.
“In the end we were probably lucky it ended only 1-0.”
FULL TIME | The boys leave everything on the pitch but it's not enough to see us through to the @ALeague Grand Final #MVCvBRI #ALfinals pic.twitter.com/KIzsF4YUJz
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) April 30, 2017
Holman acknowledged his side defended well to restrict Victory but felt they simply didn’t offer enough in attack.
“Looking at the game during the league when they came flying out of the blocks and they were 3-0 up, it was similar today,” Holman said.
“But I think we actually did half decent, obviously not creating enough, but defending.
“It’s a knockout game where you need to give everything and we worked our bums off but I think our composure and the quality at the end wasn’t enough.”
Holman also hailed departing Thomas Broich with the defeat representing his final A-League appearance for the club where he won two premierships, three championships and two Johnny Warren medals.
“If you look at what he achieved at Brisbane you’d say he’s a club legend,” Holman said.
“It’s a sad way (to finish), we would’ve loved to have given him a nicer send-off than this but he’ll be remembered as one of the greats.”
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