Key defender Jack Hingert says a 2-0 victory against Melbourne City earlier this season will give the Roar confidence ahead of the rematch tomorrow night at AAMI Park (6:50pm KO QLD time).
The Roar got the better of City back in November at Suncorp Stadium thanks to a brace from Adam Taggart, and another strong week at training has Brisbane well placed to take the points again.
“Knowing we’ve beaten them already this season gives us a bit of confidence going down there. It’s been a good week at training, everyone’s confident and there’s a really good mood in the group,” Hingert said.
“We showed what we can do in the first half against Perth last weekend and it’s just a matter of playing like that for 90 minutes.
“There’s no reason why we can’t go down to Melbourne & get a result.”
Interim Head Coach Darren Davies was pleased with his side’s first-half showing against ladder leaders Perth Glory on Sunday, in which they earned a two-goal half-time lead.
Following training on Thursday morning, Davies said that knowledge of being able to match it with the league’s top sides is a confidence boost ahead of tomorrow’s clash with the fourth-placed City.
“I thought we were good against Perth for 60 minutes, but if we can take that 60 minutes, and improve on that performance, then we’re in a good space,” Davies said.
“They’re obviously a good side & they’re on a good run at the moment. It all bodes well for an exciting game.
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“It’s always good to test yourselves against the best, because we want to the best. We tested ourselves against the team at the top of the table last week, and for 60 minutes we more than matched them.”
The Roar’s 18-man squad, which was confirmed this morning, includes three teenagers, all of whom have earned game time in recent weeks.
As one of the more experienced heads in the squad, having recently become just the sixth player to make 150 appearances for the Club, Hingert says he’s enjoyed taking a stronger leadership role on the pitch.
“It happens naturally when you’ve been here for many years. I try to lead and help out, especially with the younger guys on the pitch because I do have that experience now.”
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 13: Melbourne City v Brisbane Roar
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Friday, 11 January (6:50pm KO QLD time)
BRISBANE ROAR SQUAD
Goalkeepers: 1.Brendan WHITE, 21.Jamie YOUNG
Defenders: 2.Dane INGHAM, 3.Luke DEVERE, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 15.Stefan NIGRO, 19.Jack HINGERT, 24.Connor O’TOOLE, 34.Aaron REARDON
Midfielders: 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN, 14.Alex LOPEZ, 17.Matt MCKAY (c)
Attackers: 9.Adam TAGGART, 11.Eric BAUTHEAC, 22.Tobias MIKKELSEN, 23.Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 33.HENRIQUE **two to be omitted**
Ins: 3.Luke DEVERE (promoted), 15.Stefan NIGRO (promoted), 22.Tobias MIKKELSEN (promoted)
Outs: 4.Daniel Bowles (suspended – 1 match)
Unavailable: 6.Avram PAPADOPOULOS (glute),10.Brett HOLMAN (knee), 13.Stefan MAUK (groin)
