3 minute read
Brisbane Roar coach Warren Moon has admitted the struggling ALM club's visa-player recruitment simply hasn't worked out in the 2021-22 season.
Foreign trio Juan Lescano, Matti Steinmann and Ryo Wada's time at A-League Men's strugglers Brisbane appears over, with Roar coach Warren Moon admitting the club's recruitment choices must improve.
Argentine striker Lescano and German midfielder Steinmann were signed by the Roar ahead of the 2021-22 season while Japanese attacker Wada arrived on loan in February.
None of the trio were named, even on the bench, as the Roar slumped to a 2-0 loss to Central Coast at Moreton Daily Stadium on Tuesday.
The defeat means the Roar are winless in their past six matches and remain second-last on the ALM ladder with one match to play in their underwhelming campaign.
Moon said the absences speak for themselves.
"Let's not hide behind it, if they had have worked out, they'd be playing," he said.
"They're not playing and I'm putting the kids out because as much as we brought them in with high hopes it just hasn't worked out.
"Can't be more honest and open and clear about that."
Lescano, a former Real Madrid and Liverpool youth player, has scored six goals in 20 appearances for the Roar but has struggled with niggling injuries throughout the season.
Ex-Wellington player Steinmann has also made 20 appearances for the Roar but hasn't featured since a 3-0 loss to his former club on March 30.
The Phoenix loss was also the last time Wada has been seen in a Roar jersey, his four appearances failing to produce a goal in a stark contrast to compatriot Riku Danzaki's hugely successful loan move last season.
Moon said avoiding a similar visa-player wipeout will be a key objective for the Roar heading into the 2022-23 campaign.
"It's clear what we need to strengthen, where we need to improve our squad," he said.
"We need to sit down and see what we can do and try and get it right because, and I've said it last week, whilst I'm disappointed right now we're not far off and you saw it (on Tuesday).
"Say what you like, we had 23 shots to three, we had territory and possession and in control of the game.
"We've come away with a 2-0 loss and we don't even score a goal. It's clear where we need to improve and where we need to focus our recruitment."
