Queens Park Rangers came from a goal down to beat Rochdale 2-1 at Loftus Road in the second round of the EFL Cup, helped by two goals from Sandro.
Queens Park Rangers manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Rochdale had taken the lead in the 5th minute through midfielder Matty Lund before a brace from Sandro ensured that QPR would be taking part in the third round of this year’s EFL Cup.
The Rs were good value for their win, having 58% possession and managing six shots on target compared to Rochdale’s one.
27-year-old Sandro was making his first appearance for the side since December, having spent the latter half of last season on loan at West Brom.
Sandro spent most of last season on loan with West Brom
The Brazil midfielder scored his first goal by heading in from a Tjaronn Chery corner, before finishing well from inside the area with only 16 minutes left on the clock.
Sandro has only made 28 league appearances for the club since signing in 2014, but with performances like this he may see more first-team opportunities come his way.
QPR fans took to Twitter to share their delight in the side’s continuing cup run, having been deprived of cup progress in recent years.
Some took the opportunity to point out that the match’s attendance of 3,928 shows how nonsensical plans to build a new stadium for the club are, while the presence of Sandro on the scoresheet has caused no little amusement amongst all Rs fans.
The performance of 18-year-old Osman Kakay was also a positive for the Loftus Road faithful.
QPR return to Championship action on Saturday with a trip to the DW Stadium. Lying 6th in the table, the Rs will be confident of using the win over Rochdale to gain momentum in their domestic campaign and get three points from their encounter with Wigan, who lie in 17th.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
