Brisbane Roar face Central Coast Mariners tomorrow night in a fight to consolidate their second place spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder and coach Ange Postecoglou says his squad is revelling in the chance to take the field just four days after their last outing at Suncorp Stadium.
Saturday-s clash marked the beginning of a marathon week for Brisbane, who face Central Coast Mariners tomorrow night before taking on Melbourne Victory three days later, and Postecoglou says his players have risen to the challenge presented by the busy competition draw.
“I remember when I was a player, I would rather be playing games than be at training and my squad is no different,” he said.
“If I asked them if they-d rather do a hard session tomorrow morning or play the game, they-d say play the game so I know they-re looking forward to it.
“Playing Wednesday means there is a different feel at training, we-re not going as hard as we usually do but we-re working pretty hard.”
After a tough on-field battle against the Jets on Saturday, Postecoglou says the squad has recovered well and was adamant that their tough fitness regime in place since the pre-season would now play a bigger role than ever.
“Speaking to the players and looking at their recovery, they-re all feeling pretty good and everyone has pulled up okay which is the most important thing,” he said.
“Traditionally, Tuesdays and Wednesdays we work pretty hard so they-re used to it.
“It is a bit of an unusual thing having to back up again and we-ll see how they go after tomorrow night but I-m super confident they-ll be fine.”
Brisbane have a mixed bag of results against the Central Coast Mariners at home, with three each of wins, draws and losses in the nine fixtures played at Suncorp Stadium.
The two sides finished with equal points at the end of the Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season, but in their first of their three meetings this campaign, Postecoglou is expecting a stern test from the Mariners.
Graham Arnold-s men are unbeaten in their past four games, scoring six goals along the way, but the Brisbane coach said if the Roar put on another dominant football display, the three points would be theirs.
“They-re a good, solid, all-round team,” he said.
“They-re very well organised and well-coached, and they-ve got that X factor in (Patricio) Perez who has looked quite lively in the game he-s played.
“I think it-s more their collective effort (that-s a threat), they-re well organised so we-re going to have to be disciplined and patient in breaking them down.”
In a boost for the home side, Brisbane will welcome Costa Rican Jean Carlo Solorzano into the squad for the first time since week six.
After a couple of minor injury concerns for the 22-year-old, Postecoglou backed the striker to make an impact if given the chance against the Mariners.
“We-re very keen to get him out there, so he-ll definitely be part of the squad and hopefully we can get him on at some stage,” he said.
Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Local kick-off: 7:00pm (8.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant referees: Nathan Macdonald and Ashley Beecham
Fourth official: Jarred Gillett
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sport 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford). 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, 14. Rocky VISCONTE, 15. Matt McKAY (c), 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 21. James MEYER, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK
*two to be omitted*
In: Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (returns from injury), James MEYER (promoted).
Out: Nil
Unavailable: HENRIQUE (broken arm – indefinite)
Central Coast Mariners squad: 2 Daniel MCBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 23. Adam KWASNIK, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk)
*one to be omitted*
In: Matthew LEWIS (promoted), Chris DOIG (promoted)
Out: Brad PORTER (knee – indefinite)
Unavailable: Nik MRDJA (back – indefinite), Brad PORTER (knee – indefinite), Trent SAINSBURY (knee – 2 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee – season)
