Ninety minutes against Sydney FC is all that stands between Brisbane Roar and a home Westfield W-League semi-final when the two sides go head-to-head in the final round of the Westfield W-League at the Qeensland Sports and Athletics Centre at Nathan on Saturday.
Ninety minutes against Sydney FC is all that stands between Brisbane Roar and a home Westfield W-League semi-final when the two sides go head-to-head in the final round of the Westfield W-League at the Qeensland Sports and Athletics Centre at Nathan on Saturday.
The home and away season couldn-t have thrown up a juicier season finale, with the traditional rivals fighting it out for the right to host the semi-final.
Brisbane sits just one point ahead of their sky blue rivals leaving the home side with the equation of a win or a draw doing the business.
However, captain Clare Polkinghorne has only one thing on her mind – a victory which would not only keep her side at home next week but also strike a psychological blow against the team they will face in the semi-final.
“The ball-s in our court now,” Polkinghorne said.
“A victory last weekend has put us in a good place and all we need is a win.
“Winning tomorrow is important to secure the home semi-final
“Every time we play Sydney, it-s a heated battle.
“Both teams are very competitive, with world class players, so it-s going to be an entertaining game.”
The last time the pair met was way back in round one when Sydney had the better of a 1-1 draw on home turf.
Much has changed since then with both teams boosted by the return of key personnel either from injury or overseas.
As an added bonus for the Brisbane side, the match will be played at the side-s training base at QSAC – a venue the squad knows intimately.
“We-ve trained out at there every day for the last few years know,” she said.
“We know the place and we feel comfortable, we know we can play some good football on the pitch and it really suits our style.
“So we-ll be looking to implement our game plan and come away with a result.
“I think with the game being against Sydney and an important match there will be a big crowd out there.”
Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC
Saturday 14 JanuaryQueensland Sports & Athletics Centre, Brisbane
Local kick-off: 2pm
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Casey DUMONT (gk), 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Joanne BURGESS, 7. Kim CARROLL, 9. Catherine CANNULI, 10. Lana HARCH, 11. Aivi LUIK, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Vedrana POPOVIC, 15. Sasha MCDONNELL, 16. Michaela HATZIRODOS, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Olga CEBRIAN GARCIA, 19.Ellen BEAUMONT, 20. Hoshimi KISHI (gk), 21. Rebecca PRICE *three to be omitted*
In: None
Out: None
Unavailable: Elise Kellond-Knight (knee – season), Ashley Spina (knee – season)
Sydney FC squad: 1. Allison LIPSHER (gk), 15. Thea SLATYER, 3. Danielle BROGAN, 5. Estelle JOHNSON, 6. Servet UZUNLAR, 4. Renee ROLLASON, 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 2. Teresa POLIAS, 9. Sarah WALSH, 12. Teigen ALLEN, 8. Caitlin FOORD, 13. Brittany WHITFIELD, 7. Heather GARRIOCK, 19. Leena KHAMIS, 16. Alisha BASS, 14. Rachael SOUTAR, 17. Kyah SIMON, 21. Chloe LOGARZO, 30. Sham KHAMIS (gk) *four to be omitted*
In: None
Out: None
