Talented Spanish midfielder Corona says playing in the Hyundai A-League is inspirational and he expects to perform even better for Brisbane Roar as the season progresses.
The former Almeria captain has started for the Roar in all eight games so far in the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season.
He is likely to line up again in Brisbane’s Starting XI for their Round 9 match against Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Park on Saturday (6.30pm kick off Qld time).
In his first two months in Australian football, Corona has impressed with his calmness on the ball, his clever and accurate passing and his set-play deliveries.
Corona has completed more passes (426) than any other player in the competition.
The Roar No.7 says his team-mates and opponents have inspired him.
“The competition is much better than I imagined before I arrived,” Corona said.
“There are very good teams that play very good football, including Roar, and some very, very good players.”
Corona has adapted quickly to the high-tempo style introduced this season by Roar Head Coach John Aloisi and after just eight matches, the Spaniard already seems like a long-standing servant in the centre of the Brisbane midfield.
He praises the club, the coaches and his team mates for his seamless transition from Europe to Australia.
“This group is fantastic. Very good people, very professional. Everybody has helped me a lot. I say thank you to them all,” Corona said.
Corona has made the Hyundai A-League Team of the Week twice in the first eight rounds and says he can play even better.
“I was happy with my first games here but everyone can improve,” he said.
“Each week gets better for me. I am learning the language, I know my team mates better and I am starting to know all the teams.
“In the future I can do more.”
Corona was named today in an 18-man Roar squad for Saturday that doesn’t include fellow Spaniard Javier Hervas.
After minutes off the bench in the Roar’s last two games, Hervas experienced muscle stiffness in training this week and will be rested.
Jerome Polenz, Corey Brown and Devante Clut are added to last week’s starting squad.
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 3.Shane STEFANUTTO, 5.Corey BROWN, 6.Jerome POLENZ, 7.CORONA, 8.Steven LUSTICA, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.HENRIQUE, 13.Jade NORTH, 14.Daniel BOWLES, 15.James DONACHIE, 16.Devante CLUT, 17.Matt McKAY (c), 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 23.Dimitri PETRATOS, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 36.Andre JANNESE (gk) **two to be omitted**
Ins: 5.Corey BROWN (promoted), 6.Jerome POLENZ (promoted), 16.Devante CLUT (promoted)
Outs: 18.Javier HERVAS (muscle stiffness)
Unavailable: 1.Michael THEO (gk) (quad strain – 1 week), 12.Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (hamstring strain – 1 week), 33.Luke DE VERE (quad – 2 weeks)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1.Dean BOUZANIS (gk), 3.Scott JAMIESON, 4.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY (c), 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 7.Romeo CASTELEN, 8.DIMAS, 9.Federico PIOVACCARI, 10.Dario VIDOSIC, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 17.ALBERTO, 18.ANDREU, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 21.Jacob PEPPER, 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 34. Mario SHABOW **two to be omitted**
Ins: 19.Mark BRIDGE (returns from injury), 9.Federico PIOVACCARI (promoted)
Outs: Nil ; Unavailable: Nil
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones; Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Gallagher; Assistant Referee 2: Owen Goldrick; Fourth Official: Katie Patterson
TV: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 6.15pm (Qld time) and Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand)
Radio : 702 ABC Sydney, 612 ABC Brisbane, ABC LR NSW & Qld, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live
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