Brisbane Roar Coach Zadkovich Reflects on Opening Day Defeat to Auckland FC

Brisbane Roar’s Isuzu UTE A-League Head Coach, Ruben Zadkovich, addressed the media after his team’s 2-0 defeat to Auckland FC in the opening round of the 2024/25 season. Despite the loss, Zadkovich saw positives, highlighting areas of improvement as his side moves forward in the campaign.

On the Match

Reflecting on the game, Zadkovich took a cautious stance, noting the balance of play.

“I’d like to watch it back before I say too much. I think it was an even game, very patchy. There were moments where we did really well and started to control it, but there were also some sloppy moments where we turned the ball over cheaply and didn’t sense the danger,” he said.

Zadkovich emphasized that the result, while disappointing, offers valuable lessons. “We’ll definitely be better off after that hit-out. There’s so much room for this team to grow, and we’re nowhere near the finished product. We’ll take the positives, review the game, and continue building together.”

On Youth Development

Zadkovich was particularly proud of giving opportunities to young players like Sam Klein and Ivan Ozzi, who have been working hard to break into the senior side.

“There’s nothing better than rewarding young players who are fighting to become professionals. Sam Klein and Ivan Ozzi are great examples. Ozzi, especially, has been outstanding, leading our youth team and being the top scorer. It’s fantastic to see him get some minutes,” Zadkovich shared.

Although he acknowledged the disappointment in the result, he remains optimistic. “We wish that moment was more positive for the boys, but we head home with plenty to work on and a lot of positivity around the squad.”

On Auckland FC’s Strength

Zadkovich didn’t shy away from praising Auckland FC, recognizing the financial muscle behind the club while also reflecting on how his team fared.

“They’ve got a bit of an open chequebook at the moment, and I think other teams will find it tough to come here. But we were definitely in the game,” he said.

“We had two or three corners in the first seven or eight minutes. We just couldn’t create that clear-cut chance we needed. Then they went down the other end, and when you have a player who’s been to three World Cups delivering quality like that, it’s the difference between winning and losing,” Zadkovich noted, referring to Auckland’s strong squad and ability to produce game-changing moments.

Despite the setback, he remains focused on the bigger picture. “We can’t be too hard on ourselves. It’s all about the process of improvement. We’re building something for the long term, and we’ll only get better from here.”

Match Details

Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2024/25 – Round 1: Auckland FC vs Brisbane Roar
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Date: Saturday, 19 October

Final Score: Auckland FC 2-0 Brisbane Roar
(OWN GOAL 8’, Logan Rogerson 75’)

Tags: A-League 2024/25, Auckland FC, Brisbane Roar, Ruben Zadkovich, Sam Klein, Ivan Ozzi, match analysis
Hashtags: #pitchsidehq #AucklandFC #BrisbaneRoar #ALeague #YouthDevelopment #Football #Soccer #BreakingNews