The next challenge for Brisbane Roar? Consistency, according to midfielder Massimo Murdocca, as his side begins preparations for next Sunday’s crucial match against third-placed Melbourne Heart.
The next challenge for Brisbane Roar? Consistency, according to midfielder Massimo Murdocca, as his side begins preparations for next Sunday-s crucial match against third-placed Melbourne Heart.
Saturday night-s dramatic 2-1 victory over Sydney FC, which saw two goals in one second-half stoppage time minute, has reignited belief and revived confidence levels in a team who had previously recorded just one win in eight Hyundai A-League appearances.
With that win, the Roar reduced the gap between themselves and Central Coast Mariners at the summit of the competition ladder to six points after the Gosford-based side failed to collect all three points against the Newcastle Jets on the weekend, managing a 1-1 draw in the F3 derby.
Murdocca believes stringing together a host of consistent performances, a trait the club have been recognised for over the past 18 months, is integral if Brisbane want any chance of retaining this year-s Hyundai A-League premiership and championship double.
“I think no matter whether you-re top or mid-table, if you don-t back up your performances, there-s no point,” he said.
“Having a great result, it-s always about consistency on a personal level and as a team.
“You-ve always got to be consistent and if you can win every week, that-s the best thing for the team so we-ll definitely have to back it up against the Heart, which is an important game for us now.”
Melbourne Heart are hot on the tails of the Roar, three points behind the current champions but with a game in hand.
By the time the two sides meet on Sunday, the games played tally on the Hyundai A-League ladder will be level, with the Heart facing the Mariners in what is shaping up as a juicy mid-week match-up.
Murdocca plans to use Wednesday-s fixture to take an extra look at the side that beat Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium just five weeks ago.
“They beat us in that five game losing streak and to be honest, I thought they were a good team,” he said.
“They-ve got quick counter-attacks and they-re very structured in the way they go forward so they-re very similar to us in some ways.
“They-ve had their losses now which is good for us, hopefully their confidence is a bit down but at the end of the day, if we-re not at our best, we probably won-t beat them so we-ve got to make sure that we-re on our game.”
