Brisbane Roar may be out of the running for this season’s Hyundai A-League Premiers Plate but the reigning Champions may still have a say, hosting title contenders Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium tonight (7.30pm kick-off).
Three days after a narrow 2-1 loss to the same opponents at the same venue, the Roar – who is now guaranteed a spot in this season’s Hyundai A-League Finals Series – want momentum leading into the play-offs.
Incidentally, it was a fixture last season between these two sides that saw Brisbane claim the 2014/15 Premiership – Luke Brattan scoring a 91st minute screamer to seal the win, and the club’s second Premiers’ Place.
However, Roar marquee man Thomas Broich said his team’s thoughts were on giving themselves the best possible chance of going back-to-back and claiming a competition record fourth Hyundai A-League Championship.
“We are getting a chance to defend our title, that’s massive for us,” Broich said.
“We don’t give up . . . there’s a big chance for us.”
Victory striker Besart Berisha, who scored for Brisbane in last season’s Hyundai A-League semi-final against his new club, said his team would leave nothing to chance in the Round 26 encounter.
A win for the Melbourne Club would put them in the box seat heading into the final round of the campaign.
Despite Sydney FC’s come-from-behind 4-3 win over Newcastle Jets last night which saw them draw level the Victory at the top of the ladder on 47 points, Kevin Muscat’s team has a superior goal difference – +22, compared to the Sky Blues’ +16.
Berisha scored the winner in Wednesday’s 2-1 result in his 100th Hyundai A-League match, opting not to celebrate in front of the Brisbane faithful.
“These games can decide a lot for us and the club and we said we had to go all in and try everything to win the game,” the Albanian said.
“Every football player plays to win things like that. I think we should not be nervous but enjoy and try everything to win it.”
Brisbane Roar host Melbourne Victory TONIGHT at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off at 7.30pm. Pre-purchase your tickets at Ticketek to get free transport on Brisbane Transport buses and Queensland Rail trains from four hours before the match begins.Â
