Sandro scores twice to take QPR through

QPR 2 Rochdale 1

Sandro scored both goals as QPR came from behind to secure a place in the third round of the EFL Cup.

League One side Rochdale went ahead after just five minutes at Loftus Road, where Danny Lund headed in at the far post from Donal McDermott’s left-wing corner.

But Rangers twice netted from corners of their own – both delivered by Tjaronn Chery.

The Dutch midfielder, with his first touch after coming on for the injured Nasser El Khayati, delivered from the right and Sandro swept the ball home on the half-volley five minutes before half-time.

And with 16 minutes remaining, Sandro met another right-wing corner from Chery, this time with a diving header, to put the Championship side ahead.

Former Tottenham midfielder Sandro, who ended last season on loan at West Brom, made his first appearance for QPR since December last year.

With Rangers desperate to offload him and the Brazilian keen to find another club, the match was seen as the ideal chance to put him in the shop window even though he has not been part of the first-team squad this season.

Sandro combined with Chery again midway through the second half, this time seeing his deflected saved by keeper Conrad Logan.

But Logan was unable to rescue Dale when Sandro again found space in the box and finished emphatically.

Chery continued to pull the strings for Rangers and set up Olamide Shodipo, but the young winger was unable to find a way past Logan.

Chery also set up fellow substitute Sebastian Polter, but he too was unable to apply the finish.

Rochdale’s best chance of an equaliser came when Ian Henderson, under pressure from Grant Hall, shot wide of the near post after being found by Jim McNulty.

QPR were far from convincing at times but it turned out to be a positive night for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side, with Ariel Borysiuk and Osman Kakay both making encouraging debuts.

Polish midfielder Borysiuk, a summer signing from Legia Warsaw, played after recovering from an ankle injury and lasted an hour.

Kakay, 18, usually operates as a right-back but played on the right of midfield, and his lively display on his first senior appearance for the R’s earned him an ovation from the home fans when he was substituted in the second half.