After a long string of consistent performances on the park this season, Brisbane Roar travel south this weekend with their sights set on breaking their hoodoo at the Sydney Football Stadium.
In their nine outings at Sydney FC-s home ground, the Roar are yet to record a victory over the Sky Blues with three losses and six draws to show for their efforts in the New South Wales capital.
After the squad-s recent success including their table-topping position and an unbeaten streak of 15 games, coach Ange Postecoglou said there was no time like the present to tick off the next box on the club-s to-do list.
However, Postecoglou said Brisbane-s away record against the current Hyundai A-League champions wasn-t playing on his mind as he prepared the squad in training this morning.
“There is probably a reason why we haven-t won there and that-s because Sydney have been pretty good and we haven-t,” he said.
“There are always challenges in this league, it-s designed that way and there are no easy games.
“Certainly it-s going to be a challenge for us on Sunday but having said that, wherever we-ve played we-ve tried to play the same way.”
While recognising his club-s long-lasting rivalry with Sydney FC would play a factor in the week 18 clash, the Brisbane coach said he had noticed his team developing rivalries with clubs all across the Hyundai A-League as their tag of title contenders grew stronger.
Postecoglou-s observation is even more pleasing given his team-s mixed home record in seasons gone.
“There-s a bit of rivalry (against Sydney) but I think we-ve got a bit of rivalry with everyone these days,” he said.
“Everyone is after us which is good because I remember last year, the players voted Suncorp as their favourite ground, that didn-t surprise me – come up here, good weather and pick up three points.
“I think there is more feeling now when we play against teams and that-s what we want.
“We want rivalries against Sydney, against Melbourne, against Gold Coast, against anybody and I think that just comes with success.
“That-s the kind of club we want to be.”
With newly re-signed midfielder Massimo Murdocca and experienced defender Shane Stefanutto still on Brisbane-s injury list, the squad is expected to be very similar to the one that lined up against Melbourne Victory last Friday with young left-winger Rocky Visconte also knocking on the door for selection.
“Rocky has been going really well in the last couple of weeks in training and in the youth team,” Postecoglou said.
“I-d like to give him a run, him and Luke Brattan are two that I think can play a key role leading into the end of the season and they-re both ready to play first team football.
“It-s just a matter of opportunity now and when they get the opportunity, grabbing it.”
Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar FC
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Local kick-off time: 5.00pm
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistant referees: Scott Edeling and Sarah Ho
Fourth official: Alex Glasgow
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports, FS1 HD and Sky Sports 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club partener is SBS 6 (Digital). To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au.
Sydney FC squad: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL, 3. Stephan KELLER, 5. Hayden FOXE, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU, 7. Brendan GAN, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 11. Kofi DANNING, 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 16. Terry ANTONIS, 19. Mark BRIDGE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 24. Dimitri PETRATOS
*three to be omitted*
In: 9. Bruno CAZARINE (promoted), 14. Alex BROSQUE (returns from injury)
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: Nicky CARLE (Back – 3 Weeks), Rhyan GRANT (knee – 1 week)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 3. Luke DEVERE, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 11. REINALDO, 12. Matt MUNDY, 14. Rocky VISCONTE, 15. Matt McKAY (c) 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK
*one to be omitted*
In: 14. Rocky VISCONTE
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 4. Shane STEFANUTTO (hamstring – 2 weeks), 8. Massimo MURDOCCA (groin – 1 week), 10. HENRIQUE (broken arm – 2-4 weeks)
Head-to-head: All matches (played 19): Sydney FC wins 5, Brisbane Roar wins 6 (8 draws)
