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Quizzical Fowler sure Roar on right track

3 minute read

Brisbane Roar coach Robbie Fowler would like to hear why claims for a penalty kick in his side's A-League loss to Melbourne Victory were turned away.

ROBBIE FOWLER
ROBBIE FOWLER Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Robbie Fowler has queries about a possible handball, but not Brisbane's game plan following a 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory at home.

The new Roar coach has asked for clarification after a play-on call was upheld by the VAR when Victory defender Leigh Broxham appeared to handball in the area approaching fulltime on Friday night.

Brisbane had earlier missed a golden chance to equalise when experienced striker Roy O'Donovan sprayed his close-range effort over the bar.

The A-League loss - Brisbane's first following an opening round draw and then a bye - came despite 61 per cent possession and more than double the passes (522 to 223) of their opponents.

The Roar defence were caught out for Andrew Nabbout's first-half goal, while influential Victory captain Ola Toivonen hit the post in the second half.

Fowler did his best to bite his tongue when asked for his thoughts on the alleged Broxham handball.

"I want clarification, if anything ... if it's (hit his) arms in an unnatural position, then it's a penalty," he said.

"I'll probably get myself into trouble a little earlier than I imagined, but there's probably been incidents so far this season where penalties were given for worse (less obvious) than that."

Fowler remained upbeat though, confident the new-look side's methods will reap rewards.

"We've got good players and any other day we're scoring a few goals," he said.

"In terms of what we've got going forward, we will score goals ... nine times out of 10 Roy scores that.

"We're not a million miles way from where we want to be."

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