Plenty of pre-game hype, pressure mounting within the playing group and buzz around the city – exactly the way Brisbane Roar Head Coach Ange Postecoglou wants it ahead of tomorrow night’s potentially record-breaking clash against Perth Glory.
Plenty of pre-game hype, pressure mounting within the playing group and buzz around the city – exactly the way Brisbane Roar Head Coach Ange Postecoglou wants it ahead of tomorrow night-s potentially record-breaking clash against Perth Glory.
A win or a draw at Suncorp Stadium would see Brisbane claim the longest undefeated streak in Australian football history across any code, a record which has stood for 74 years since NSW Rugby Football League-s Eastern Suburbs went 35 matches undefeated across the 1935 – 1937 seasons.
With the AFC Champions League looming on the horizon, coupled with their hopes of qualifying for a consecutive Hyundai A-League finals series, Postecoglou knows his team will have to be at the top of their game if they want to reach these great heights.
A high-pressure match so early in this year-s competition bodes well for the former Qantas Young Socceroos coach-s long-term preparations.
“From my point of view, from a coaching perspective, I like it,” he said.
“I like putting the heat on our players and I like them being involved in pressure games.
“When it comes down to the business end of the season, and we want to be involved in finals again, you can-t hide away from the pressure then so we-re not shielding them from anything.”
Standing in the way of Brisbane-s own slice of Australian sporting history is Perth Glory, who were quick out of the blocks at the beginning of the season with three confidence-boosting wins in quick succession.
The Glory then stuttered with three straight losses, but clawing back a point after finding themselves 2-0 down in last weekend-s action-packed away clash with Sydney FC will give the men in purple confidence ahead of tomorrow night-s encounter.
While some Roar players, including key playmaker Thomas Broich, played down the significance of the unbeaten run earlier in the week, Postecoglou admitted to a real buzz around the whole club and within the Hyundai A-League squad especially.
“We haven-t shyed away from the fact that we-re enjoying this record run and we want it to continue,” he said.
“We understand tomorrow is a big part of that and a big game in holding the record on our own.
“It-ll be a big crowd tomorrow, the expectations are high and it-s exactly the way I want it because we need to keep being tested under those circumstances.
“So far, the players have come through with flying colours and tomorrow will be another test.”
This particular fixture between Brisbane and Perth has seen an average five goals per game in the last five meetings.
Alongside the fact the Roar have averaged 2.35 per match – 82 goals in 35 matches – within the undefeated streak, the Suncorp Stadium faithful are sure to be in for a treat tomorrow night.
Avoid disappointment and pre-purchase your tickets online at the Ticketek website, which will also allow free public transport travel (BT bus and rail). Tickets are also available at Suncorp Stadium with gates open from 5.45pm and kick-off at 6.45pm.
Brisbane Roar vs. Perth Glory
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Local Kick Off: 6:45pm (7:45pm AEDT)
Referee: Jarred Gillett / Assistant Ref 1: Alex Glasgow / Assistant Ref 2: Nathan McDonald / 4th Official: Adam Kersey
TV Broadcast: Fox Sports 1
Head-to-Head: All matches (played 18): Brisbane Roar wins 11, Perth Glory wins 3 (4 draws)
Brisbane Roar Squad: 1. Michael Theoklitos (gk), 2. Matt Smith (c), 3. Shane Stefanutto, 5. Ivan Franjic, 6. Erik Paaratlu, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 10. Henrique, 11. Issey Nakajima-Farran, 16. Mohamed Adnan, 18. Luke Brattan, 19. Jack Hingert, 21. James Meyer, 22. Thomas Broich, 30. Matt Acton (gk).
In: Nil
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 9. Kofi Danning (International duty), 4. Matt Jurman (International duty), 17. Mitch Nichols (International duty), 20 Andrew Redmayne (abdominal injury – 3 weeks)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 2.Josh MITCHELL, 3.Bas van den BRINK, 4.Billy MEHMET, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 14.Steven McGARRY, 15.Tommy AMPHLETT, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 18. Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 19.Josh RISDON, 25. Trent McCLENAHAN, 27.ANDREZINHO, 30. Lewis ITALIANO (gk)
*one to be omitted*
In: 15.Tommy AMPHLETT, 18.Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 25.Trent McCLENAHAN (all promoted)
Out: 10.Liam MILLER (suspended – 1 week), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI (wife giving birth)
Unavailable: 5.Steve PANTELIDIS (Achilles), 10.Liam MILLER (suspended – 1 week), 11.Victor SIKORA (hip – long term injury list), 12.Scott NEVILLE (knee), 13.Travis DODD (hamstring- 3 weeks),16.Evan BERGER (hamstring – 6-weeks), 20.Neil YOUNG (abdominal), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI (wife giving birth)
