Wanderers head coach Markus Babbel said he and the players are determined to keep working hard in a bid to turn around the results and bad luck that has plagued the club this season.
Wanderers head coach Markus Babbel said he and the players are determined to keep working hard in a bid to turn around the results and bad luck that has plagued the club this season.
Despite taking the lead just five minutes into the game through captain Mitchell Duke, the Red & Black suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss to Brisbane Roar at Bankwest Stadium on Wednesday night.
While they could not find a second goal, you could not fault the effort of the Wanderers as they threw everything in desperation at the Queenslanders in the final 20 minutes.
Once again Lady Luck wasn’t kind to the Wanderers, who had legitimate calls for a penalty turned down while the Roar scored their second goal when Patrick Ziegler was off the field being treated for a bloodied mouth after copping an elbow to the face.
Babbel described it as a frustrating night for his side, which went into the game missing key midfielders Pirmin Schwegler (suspended) and Keanu Baccus (Olyroos duty).
“Absolutely (it was frustrating),” said Babbel.
“We did many things right (early), went 1-0 up, but couldn’t score the second goal.
“Then happened too often for us, we conceded on a set-piece, totally free header and then you start again.
“In the end, the boys tried everything, we had a couple of good chances but we couldn’t score. Yes, it was very frustrating.
“But, we have to keep working because this is the only chance that we have.
“We know we can battle (with) every single team.”
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Babbel conceded losing Schwegler and Baccus upset the balance of the side, but had huge praise for Ziegler, who was shifted from his regular central defence position to the defensive midfield role.
“Yes, of course, they are very important and we are missing them, but Patrick Ziegler played an outstanding game in this position,” said Babbel.
“He was in my eyes the best player on the pitch, he played fantastic. That wasn’t a problem. Of course, it was hard for us, but today we did the mistakes too much.”
Babbel would not buy into the controversy around the no penalty decision, though he admitted he still does not understand the rule around handball.
“No chance, no chance,” Babbel said when asked if he understands the rule.
“It’s gambling, it’s luck. You put it on red, you have luck, if you put it on black you are not lucky.
“It’s madness.”
The Red & Black now have nine days to get ready for their next match away to Wellington Phoenix on 11 January before returning to Bankwest Stadium to play Perth Glory on 19 January in a double header with the Wanderers Westfield W-League team.
