Defender Scott Neville says the Roar will be looking to make the most of a challenging atmosphere for Friday’s visitors when Brisbane meet the Wanderers at Suncorp Stadium.
The Roar are unbeaten on home turf since new year, and after stints at Perth Glory, Newcastle Jets and their upcoming opponents in Western Sydney, Neville knows as well as anyone how tough playing at Suncorp Stadium can be.
The Roar play five of their last seven fixtures at home.
“From previous experiences of playing against Brisbane up at Suncorp, it’s a nightmare. It’s hot, it’s humid, it’s a big stadium, and we’re a team that keeps the ball. If we can keep the ball and get on the board early, we’ll put a lot of pressure on Western Sydney and that’s what we’re looking to do,” Neville said.
“We’re a top side and hopefully our performance this weekend will really show that
“We’re taking it week by week but that’s huge for us [five home games to come]. If we can continue the form that we’ve been on bar last week, the unbeaten run and winning as many games as possible, we’d love to shoot up that ladder.
The Roar are unbeaten against Western Sydney so far this season, claiming all three-points in their most recent clash on New Year’s Day.
Neville is confident ahead of the sides’ first meeting in Queensland this season with both sides hunting what would be a vital three points.
“Over the last two weeks, the table has compressed and there’s a short amount of points between eighth spot and third spot so it’s a massive game for us this weekend. We’re just looking forward to getting back out in front of the Suncorp [Stadium] fans and putting on a good performance,” Neville continued.
“You really need to start winning consecutive games at this point of this season and that propels you so that’s what we’re looking to do.”
Western Sydney have been in impressive form since Jean-Paul de Marigny took over as caretaker Head Coach, but Neville laid down the challenge ahead of their trip to Brisbane.
“Come to Suncorp [Stadium] on a Friday night with the humidity, the heat and our fans, it’ll be a different challenge for them and it’s something that we’re really driving on. We’re really looking forward to it,” Neville continued.
“It’s crazy what a new Manager can do. He’s been around the league a lot and he knows the ins and outs. They seem to be playing with a lot more confidence than what they were earlier in the season.
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2019/20: Round 22 – Brisbane Roar v Western Sydney Wanderers
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Friday, 6 March (7:30pm KO)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Max CROCOMBE (gk), 2.Scott NEVILLE, 3.Corey BROWN, 4.Daniel BOWLES, 5.Tom ALDRED (c), 6.Macaulay GILLESPHEY, 7.Jai INGHAM, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 10.Bradden INMAN, 12.Aiden O’NEILL, 14.George MELLS, 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Jake MCGING, 23.Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 25.Rahmat AKBARI, 26.Jay O’SHEA, 27.Kai TREWIN, 30.Mirza MURATOVIC, 77.Scott MCDONALD **2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 7.Jai INGHAM (promoted), 14.George MELLS (promoted), 22.Jake MCGING (promoted), 27.Kai TREWIN (promoted)
Outs: 20.Aaron AMADI-HOLLOWAY (ankle – tbc)
Unavailable: Nil
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1. Daniel LOPAR (GK), 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 6.Matthew JURMAN, 7.Mitchell DUKE (c), 8.Jordan O’DOHERTY, 9.Nicolai MULLER, 10.Simon COX, 11.Bruce KAMAU, 13.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 16.Mathieu CORDIER, 17.Keanu BACCUS, 19.Pirmin SCHWEGLER, 22.Nicholas SULLIVAN, 23.Kosta GROZOS, 31.Noah PAGDEN, 33.Tate RUSSELL, 34.Patrick ZIEGLER, 35.Mohamed ADAM, 36.Jarrod CARLUCCIO, 40.Nicholas SUMAN (GK) **2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 16.Mathieu CORDIER (promoted), 17.Keanu BACCUS (returns from injury), 31.Noah PAGDEN (promoted), 36.Jarrod CARLUCCIO (promoted)
Outs: 5.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI (suspended – 2 weeks), 62.Ali AUGLAH (not selected)
Unavailable: 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (shoulder), 29.Daniel WILMERING (knee), Radoslaw MAJEWSKI (knee)
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referee 1: Nathan MacDonald
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Lindsay
Fourth Official: Adam Kersey
VAR: Kris Griffiths-Jones
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 8:00pm (AEDT), Sky Sport 7 (New Zealand), Kayo Sports (www.kayosports.com.au) and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers
Radio Broadcast: ABC Brisbane, ABC QLD, and online
