Ahead of the biggest football match of his career, Brisbane Roar’s dynamic midfielder Thomas Broich has said his first ever finals series has already been one to remember.
Despite having over ten seasons of top flight football under his belt, Sunday-s Hyundai A-League Grand Final clash with Central Coast Mariners will be Broich-s maiden decider in any competition.
The idea of a finals series at the end of the regular home and away season is foreign to the German but a concept he has welcomed with open arms.
“There is no such thing (as finals) in Germany,” Broich said.
“Obviously we have a cup, I-ve played in a semi-final in that which has probably been my biggest game in terms of elimination games but it-s a completely new experience for me.”
News that ticket sales are progressing healthily has spread quickly through the Roar playing camp with Broich licking his lips at the prospect of walking out onto the pitch at a packed Suncorp Stadium.
“It-s a good feeling, it-s pretty exciting and to get a full stadium would be pretty cool,” he said.
“It will be a massive lift, that-s what we are about.
“Football is about passion, it-s about enthusiasm and finally, to get such a big crowd, it-s amazing for us.”
Broich was named runner-up in the Hyundai A-League-s prestigious Johnny Warren Medal on Monday night, losing out to Adelaide United-s Argentine playmaker Marco Flores, but the 30-year-old said he was more focused on ensuring the entire team tasted success on Sunday afternoon.
Standing in the way of a Hyundai A-League premiership and championship double for the Roar is Graham Arnold-s Mariners but Broich said his side were well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of their opposition after their many match-ups over the course of the campaign.
Sunday-s crucial clash will mark the sixth time the two sides have met this season and the third time they have faced off in the past month after Brisbane prevailed 4-2 on aggregate in the two legs of the Major Semi-Final.
“It-s a strange feeling to play them six times in one year,” Broich admitted.
“They-re a good team and they have almost beaten us twice this year.
“We are going to be aware of their qualities but I think we-ve scored 14 goals against them already so we should have a good chance to beat them, especially here at home at Suncorp Stadium.”
Brisbane Roar will host Central Coast Mariners in the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 Grand Final on Sunday, 13 March at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off at 4pm.
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