Smith hails Roar ´togetherness´

29 December 2012 01:56

Brisbane Roar captain Matt Smith says teamwork and effort were the keys to success against Adelaide United on Boxing Day.

The Roar won away for the first time this season, notching a 1-0 victory though Henrique's second-half goal.

It was Mike Mulvey's second match in charge of the Roar, after defeat the previous week to Perth.

Brisbane are up against Wellington Phoenix at Suncorp Stadium on New Year's Day.

When asked what had caused the turnaround in fortunes for the club, Smith said the formula was a simple one.

"A couple of things really. I think the first thing is hard work. It was a real collective effort against Adelaide," Smith said.

"Every single player played their part. There was a sense of togetherness out there.

"And it certainly helps when you take your chances."

Smith himself put in a spirited effort in defence against United, doing well to shackle a lively Bruce Djite, though he insisted his personal performance was just part and parcel of the game.

"Every team's fighting for something, every team's got a worthwhile cause," he said.

"It doesn't matter if you're pushing for the top of pushing to get off the bottom, you've got to have that fire in your belly.

"You've got to protect the team and the club and obviously you've got to protect yourself. Any sign of weakness can obviously be taken advantage of.

"We said at the beginning, we had to be on the front foot, we had to go and attack them and put pressure on them, and I think we did well."

Midway through the season, the Roar sit in eighth place on the A-League ladder, thirteen points from the table-topping Mariners.