With only three games left of their season, Brisbane Roar W-League is aiming to add fuel to their finals aspirations with an away win over Melbourne Victory on Sunday afternoon.
The Roar want a strong finish to the season with six points currently separating them from a top four spot as they look to build momentum on last week’s 3-0 defeat of Adelaide United.
Brisbane defender Kim Carroll said a spot in the finals for the Roar is not out of the question.
“We’ve still got three games left and if we can get three points out of each of those games we’re still in contention,” she said.
The last match between the Roar and Victory in Round 6 ended in a tight 1-1 draw, with Sunny Franco coming off the bench to equalise in the 82nd minute.
Carroll said her team is well aware of Melbourne’s strengths and hopes that their focus on finishing chances pays off.
“Melbourne will give us a good run for our money but if we can play the way we did against Adelaide [we’ll get] three points,” she said.
“Over the last couple of weeks we’ve been working on finishing because we’re obviously aware that we’re missing the chances we’re getting in the games and that’s costing us on occasions so hopefully that’s behind us.”
Head Coach Belinda Wilson welcomes back Young Matildas Larissa Crummer, Sunny Franco, Brooke Goodrich and Angela Beard to the squad for Sunday’s match which gives the Roar some much-needed depth.
Influential Roar midfielder Katrina Gorry will be hoping to cap off a fantastic week with three points on Sunday, following her nomination for the AFC Player of the Year.
Melbourne Victory is also coming off a 3-0 win last time out, beating Western Sydney away from home.
The Victory sit third in the ladder, but have played one game in hand than everyone else so they will be out to secure their position in the final four.
Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar
Sunday 16 November 2014
Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 3pm local time (2pm Brisbane time)
Catch all the action at 3.00pm nationally on ABC TV (one hour delay into Brisbane) or listen LIVE on FFV Radio from 2.30pm. Head to www.footballfedvic.com.au, or search ‘FFV Radio’ in the TuneIn smartphone app, or use to bit.ly/FFV_Radio
Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna DAVEY, 2. Hannah BREWER, 5. Lauren BARNES, 6. Gema SIMON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY (C), 8. Amy JACKSON, 9. Racheal QUIGLEY, 10. Christine NAIRN, 11. Lisa DE VANNA, 12. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 15. Emma CHECKER, 16. Beattie GOAD, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 18. Elli REED, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI, 29. Caitlin FRIEND
Ins: Emma Checker, Beattie Goad (both return from Westfield Young Matildas), Lauren Barnes (returns from overseas), Cassandra Dimovski (returns from injury)
Outs: Alexandra Natoli, Tiffany Eliadis (both omitted), Erin Herd (contract expired)
Unavailable: none
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Nadine ANGERER (gk), 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Hayley RASO, 7. Kim CARROLL, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Larissa CRUMMER, 10. Katrina GORRY, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Natasha WHEELER, 15. Brooke GOODRICH, 16. Angela BEARD, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Sunny FRANCO, 19. Ayesha NORRIE, 20. Kate STEWART (gk)
Ins: Laura Alleway (returns from injury), Angela Beard, Larissa Crummer, Brooke Goodrich (all return from Westfield Young Matildas)
Outs: Pam Bignold, Isobel Dalton (short term contract expired)
Unavailable: Amy Chapman (calf – one week)
