Brisbane’s Erik Paartalu believes a run of three games in a week has not dented the team’s hunger for points, saying the Roar are ready take on Melbourne Victory tomorrow night, the only team to have beaten them this Hyundai A-League season.
Paartalu, who has cemented his spot in the starting line-up with consistent, solid performances in front of the Brisbane back four since the season start said the squad had pushed the result of their last meeting out of their thoughts.
In week six, Brisbane left Melbourne without any points after a poor 20 minute patch saw them leak three goals – half of the Roar-s goals conceded tally for the season so far – despite maintaining the majority of possession in the AAMI Park encounter.
“We all know what happened last time, but we-re going to have to cut it out of our head and just play our own game,” the 24-year-old said.
“We-re at home and the style of football we-re playing will hopefully beat any team.
“We-re very confident so we-ll just go out, play our own game and put all emotions to the side.
Brisbane-s hectic schedule has been well documented this week but Paartalu said fatigue will not play a factor in their third game in a week.
Both sides are coming off impressive wins, coupled with clean sheets, but the holding midfielder says his side-s momentum at Suncorp Stadium will give them the home team the advantage heading into the fixture.
“Three games in a week has been pretty tough but this scenario is what we-ve been working towards since the pre-season,” he said.
“Over the last couple of games we-ve actually gotten stronger and Wednesday night was no different, we got stronger as the game went on so the boys are feeling pretty good considering the situation we-re in.
“When you-re playing good football and you-re in good form, you want the games to come so at this point in time, it-s good for us, because we-re playing well and getting good results.
“Sometimes it-s better to have a rest, but for us at this point in time, it-s good for us to keep going.”
The Victory are in the middle of a dull patch away from home, having won just one of their past eleven matches on the road but with Melbourne frontman Carlos Hernandez finding his form, Paartalu conceded he would have a busy night but said he would relish in the challenge.
“Hernandez is obviously one of their quality players and we-ll have to watch him, amongst others,” he said.
“I enjoyed the challenge last time down in Melbourne, it was quite physical and you-ve really got to watch him.
“He-ll drift in and out of the game and when he gets on the ball he-s pretty sharp.”
Brisbane haven-t beaten Ernie Merrick-s men since September 2008, but with so many new faces in the Roar squad this season, they-ll be looking to overcome the statistics on Saturday night.
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Local kick-off: 7.45pm (8.45pm AEDT)
Referee: Peter Green
Assistant referees: Brad Hobson and David Walsh
Fourth official: Matthew Gillett
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1, FS1 HD and Sky Sport 3 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 774 ABC (Melbourne), SEN Digital. To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au
Brisbane Roar squad: 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, 11. REINALDO, 12. Matt MUNDY, 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
*four to be omitted*
In: Matt MUNDY (promoted), Rocky VISCONTE (promoted), Luke BRATTAN (promoted), James MEYER (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: HENRIQUE (broken arm – indefinite)
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 2. Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC, 4. Petar FRANJIC, 5.Surat SUKHA, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Grant BREBNER, 9.RICARDINHO, 11.Marvin ANGULO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 14. Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 19. Evan BERGER, 20.Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 21. Robbie KRUSE 23. Adrian LEIJER, 27. Geoff KELLAWAY
*four to be omitted*
In: Surat SUKHA (returns from injury), Petar FRANJIC (promoted), Diogo FERREIRA (promoted), Marvin ANGULO (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Archie THOMPSON (knee – indefinite), Matthew KEMP (knee – indefinite)
Head-to-Head: All matches (played 16): Brisbane Roar wins 4, Melbourne Victory wins 10 (2 draws)
