After a memorable win at Suncorp Stadium last night, Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou has already got his sights set on their next assignment – to claim three points against a tough Melbourne Victory outfit on Saturday.
Brisbane dominated the encounter against Graham Arnold-s Mariners in the Hyundai A-League fixture, maintaining 54 per cent of the possession and taking 21 shots at goal to the Central Coast-s seven.
The home side came away 2-0 winners after two superb long-range efforts from playmaker Thomas Broich and returning defender Ivan Franjic, stretching their unbeaten run at Suncorp Stadium to seven games.
Contending with an even shorter recovery period than they had earlier in the week, Postecoglou said he had no injury or fatigue concerns heading into Saturday-s crucial encounter with Melbourne.
“It was good – we played well, we got the right result and got through it unscathed which was my biggest concern,” he said.
“They-re in pretty good spirits this morning and I guess the win helps that.
“A quick turnaround now, a day less, essentially just 48 hours but I-m confident the players will come up.
“They-re a bit sore this morning which is only natural, but I don-t expect anyone to miss out through injury.”
With Melbourne Victory the only side to have beaten Brisbane this season, Postecoglou said his players were looking forward to the opportunity to make amends for the week six loss at AAMI Park.
“It will give us a chance to atone for that game,” the Roar coach explained.
“I don-t think we played badly, I still think we played some good football and we had a poor patch where we gifted a couple of goals.”
Postecoglou said he imagined the Victory would be on a high after thrashing Sydney FC 3-0 last week, but said he expected his team to lift in front of what he hopes will be a large, vocal Suncorp Stadium crowd.
“They had a good win last week, so we expect them to come and take the game to us,” he said.
“That should mean it will be entertaining and we-re hoping for a big crowd on Saturday to help the boys on.
“The players really like playing at Suncorp, I know we haven-t had massive crowds yet, but there-s still a good atmosphere at the stadium.
“I think that-s showing – not just in the results but in the way we-re playing and creating chances every game we play and a couple of special goals last night which always helps.
“If we get a good crowd, and I-m hoping we do against the Victory, then it will just lift the players even further.”
Brisbane Roar play Melbourne Victory on Saturday 23 October at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off at 7.45pm.
