Captain Matt McKay says the current crop of Brisbane Roar players are ready to write a new chapter in club history as they attempt to secure their first ever victory over Gold Coast United in this weekend’s Boxing Day derby.
Spurred on by the memory of last year-s disappointing 5-1 defeat, McKay said the squad had their sights firmly set on building positive memories for their faithful fans and named Sunday-s epic clash at Suncorp Stadium as a must-win game.
“There were not many of us that were in that game to be honest but the ones that were there, remember it,” he said.
“But it-s a different chapter now, we-ve done some good stuff this season and we want to continue that.
“First and foremost, it-s hard work and from there, we want to make good memories for the club.”
Head Coach Ange Postecoglou agreed, saying there was more than just three points at stake in the high-profile derby with emotions sure to be riding high both on the field and in the stands.
“Both clubs want to make it a big fixture for sure,” he said.
“There are only three points on offer but for our supporters and the Gold Coast supporters, it means a lot more.”
Brisbane have collected just one point from their four fixtures with United but their recent form indicates that no challenge is unbeatable as they face their second match up with their M1 rivals this season.
“I-ve been a part of every one of those games (against Gold Coast United) so I want to right some wrongs,” McKay said, who will be leading the charge from midfield in the high-profile derby.
“We-ve done that in the past two weeks away to Sydney and North Queensland, we-ve got those monkeys off our back and we-re ready to do another one.
“We-ll concentrate on our performance and if we get that right, we-ll go a long way to getting the result.”
While rain has covered the state-s south-east as the festive break approaches, the Brisbane coach was sure the weather wouldn-t play a role in determining the outcome of Sunday-s clash.
“Even if it-s raining, we-ll still be able to play the kind of football we want to play,” Postecoglou said.
“I don-t think Gold Coast play too differently to be honest, so it-s not like they-re going to resort to long balls or anything.
“Both teams tend to play an attacking style of game, obviously we-ll adjust if we need to but, providing the surface is good and we-ve been assured that it will be, I don-t see any problems or need to change anything we do.”
Brisbane Roar vs. Gold Coast United
Sun 26 December 2010
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Local kick-off: 6:15pm
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant referees: Denis Silk and Graham Buzzi
Fourth official: Matthew Gillett
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD & Sky Sport 1 (NZ). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 14. Rocky VISCONTE, 15. Matt McKAY (c), 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 21. James MEYER, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK
*two to be omitted*
In: Luke BRATTAN (promoted), James MEYER (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: HENRIQUE (broken arm – 1 week), Matt MUNDY (knee – 1 week)
Gold Coast United: 1.Glen MOSS [gk], 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 8.ANDERSON, 10.Jason CULINA (c), 11.Bruce DJITE, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 18.James BROWN, 20.Scott HIGGINS [gk], 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 24.John CURTIS, 32.Steven LUSTICA.
*three to be omitted*
In: Jason CULINA (return from knee injury), Kristian REES (return from suspension), John CURTIS (promoted).
Out: Nil
Unavailable: ROBSON (knee injury – 1 week), Chris BROADFOOT (knee injury – 6 weeks), Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury – indefinite), Matt OSMAN (knee injury – indefinite).
Tickets for Brisbane Roar vs Gold Coast United are available through Ticketek. Kick-off for the match is 6.15pm at Suncorp Stadium.
