MARTI Cifuentes joked Jimmy Dunne was being called the ‘Irish Cafu’ after the defender’s last-minute screamer to defeat Birmingham City 2-1 in a relegation six-pointer at Loftus Road on Saturday.
Juninho Bacuna gave Blues the lead on 62 minutes before Steve Cook equalised just three minutes later and Dunne fired in the winner.
Dunne, usually a centre-back, is playing right-back, the position of the legendary Brazilian World Cup winner.
“I know some people are calling him the Irish Cafu but I think he has a better left foot! He is doing great and is a fantastic guy,” Cifuentes said.
“I am so glad, so happy. It was a well-deserved victory. We had to wait until the end but that makes it even more emotional. All credit to the guys because that is a massive victory.
“I said when I arrived that we need to be very happy when we win games and very disappointed when we don’t.”
Cifuentes added: “The stadium was buzzing, the supporters were unbelievably good for 98 minutes, but the most important thing today was the resilience and mentality we showed.
“After the first half we could have been maybe 2-0 up, 3-0 up with the big chances from Ilias [Chair], a great save from John Ruddy, Chris [Willock] on the crossbar, Lucas [Andersen] had a very clear chance as well.
“But that is why the Championship is so difficult because the opponents will not forgive you.
“We got the chances to lead the game clearly and then, in a situation, they score because they have got quality players.
“Perhaps that goal was the push that we needed but all credit goes to the guys because of the mentality they showed in this type of game.”
The R’s, who are four points above the relegation zone, travel to Swansea City on Easter Monday.
Cifuentes said: “Today is a day to really enjoy this but we will be ready and back to business tomorrow because we have got another massive game on Monday and a lot of work to do yet.
Former Millwall manager Gary Rowett was taking charge of his first game back as Birmingham boss.
Blues are 21st, level on points with Huddersfield Town in 22nd and Sheffield Wednesday in 23rd.
Rowett said: “It’s a disappointing way to lose it but that’s the Championship. You can say on one hand it’s a fantastic goal by QPR, for a right-back to chest it down and zing it into the top corner from 25 to 30 yards out, it’s probably not something you’d expect him to do, but it’s a cruel way to lose.
“You’d probably say that goal’s worthy of winning any game but, there are a few basics in these moments where we have opportunities to not let the ball drop to Jimmy Dunne, for the first goal to not get headed because he gets the first contact on the header and that’s something we definitely need to improve on.
“They didn’t really get through us. They didn’t cause us massive problems, most of the chances came from crosses into the box and set-pieces.
“We have to be a little bit more determined when that ball comes into the box. They are the basics of the game that you’ve got to do well if you want to pick up points.”
