Despite being without a number of key players for Saturday’s clash against league leaders Adelaide United, Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou says he expects his team to rise to the challenge in front of their home supporters.
With four Roar players away on Qantas Olyroos duty, Brazilian winger Henrique facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines following surgery on his broken arm and defender Ivan Franjic still nursing a quad strain picked up in against Sydney FC in week three, Postecoglou-s stocks are thin.
Postecoglou-s squad picks itself with defender Matt Mundy, and attacking options Rocky Visconte and James Meyer are all set to be included in the final 15 for the first time this season and Matt Acton stepping up from the National Youth League squad.
The Brisbane coach has said from the beginning of the season that he was looking to produce a squad with depth in all areas of the park, saying he won-t make excuses for Saturday night-s game.
“We-ve had a good work ethic in the squad from day one and now the opportunity comes from some players,” he said.
“These type of things you can treat two ways – you can have an excuse for them or you can use it as a challenge and that-s what we-ll do.
“We-ll accept that challenge and there are boys that are coming in who are looking forward to the opportunity and I-m sure they-ll make it count for themselves.”
Admitting Henrique was a big loss to the team, Postecoglou was convinced Costa Rican import Jean Carlo Solorzano could make an impact on the field in his first start for the Roar.
“Henrique is a big blow, there-s no doubt about it,” he said.
“He-s a fantastic character to have around the place and works hard for us in a game.
“Solorzano will get an opportunity, he-s been raring to go for a couple of weeks now.
“He-s a good, young player and he-s quick and can score goals – everything he-s done at training has been really good.
“The signs at training are showing that he-s going to be a useful asset for us.”
Despite facing a team who have scored 12 goals so far this season, Postecoglou said he was wary of all clubs in the Hyundai A-League, admitting he saw a different challenge in each opposing team.
“Adelaide are playing well,” he said. “They-ve won four on the trot and they-ll be pretty high with confidence.
“They-re a good team and certainly a challenge for us, but I don-t think there is much separating first from last in the league.”
The Brisbane coach said the home crowd would make the difference against their table-topping opponents, convinced his team could record their fourth consecutive home win.
“The players really like playing here and they like playing in front of their supporters,” he said.
“The first two games at home have gone really well for us and we want to continue that.
“They-re got some good players in Matthew Leckie, Flores, Paul Reid, who have all had good starts to the season, and they-ve probably got one of the best goalkeepers in the league in Eugene Galekovic.
“They-re a good challenge for us, but being at home in front of our supporters, we-ll expect to rise to it.”
Brisbane Roar vs. Adelaide United
Saturday 18 September 2010
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Local kick-off: 7:30pm
Referee: Ben Williams
Assistant referees: Denis Silk & David Walsh
Fourth official: Alan Milliner
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 3, FS3 HD & on Sky Sport 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is ABC Digital (Adelaide).To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 11. REINALDO, 12. Matt MUNDY, 14. Rocky VICSCONTE, 15. Matt McKAY (c), 21. James MEYER, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK, 30. Matt ACTON (gk)
In: 12. Matt MUNDY (promoted), 14. Rocky VISCONTE (promoted), 21. James MEYER (promoted), 30. Matt ACTON (promoted from National Youth League).
Out: 3. Luke DEVERE (National Team Duty), 10. HENRIQUE (broken arm – indefinite), 17. Mitch NICHOLS (National Team Duty), 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (National Team Duty)
Unavailable: 5. Ivan FRANJIC (quad strain – 1-2 weeks), 18. Luke BRATTAN (National Team Duty)
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 4.Iain FYFE, 6.CASSIO, 7.Lucas PANTELIS (c), 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10.Marcos FLORES, 12.Paul REID, 15.Francesco MONTEROSSO, 16.Inseob SHIN, 17.Iain RAMSAY, 19.Mathew LECKIE, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 24.Cameron WATSON, 26.Joe KEENAN
* 1 to be omitted*
In: Inseob SHIN (promoted), 15.Francesco MONTEROSSO (promoted)
Out: Daniel MULLEN (National Team Duty)
Unavailable: Nigel BOOGAARD (ankle – 7 weeks), Travis DODD (groin – 3 weeks), Lloyd OWUSU (knee – indefinite), Fabian BARBIERO (ankle – 1 week)
Head-to-Head: All matches (played 16): Brisbane Roar wins 3, Adelaide United wins 8 (5 draws)
