Following a draw against Perth Glory in Western Australia, the undefeated Brisbane Roar will head into Sunday’s match against Canberra United at A.J. Kelly Park with confidence.
Captain Clare Polkinghorne (below) is hoping the squad can continue their impressive performances.
“We’ve had a good start to the season,” she said.
“The opening game against Sydney [FC] was probably a better performance than the Perth game but to get a point from that is promising.”
The Roar have taken four points from their opening two matches and broke the record for the largest stand-alone Westfield W-League attendance in Round One against Sydney FC.
Fixtures between the Roar and Canberra United have always been highly-anticipated encounters with their rivalry dating back to the inaugural Westfield W-League Grand Final in 2008/09. The Roar got the better of Canberra that day, securing the first ever Westfield W-League Championship.
Sunday’s match is expected to provide a tough challenge for Mel Andreatta’s side but the Head Coach says her side are ready for the challenge.
“[Canberra United] are very attacking-minded. They want to go forward quickly and get those attacking weapons they have in behind their opponents defence,” she said.
“I think that this particular game this weekend will be an exciting and an attacking one.”
The side from the Nation’s capital travel north to Brisbane following a narrow 2-1 defeat to reigning Premiers and Champions Melbourne City.
Clare Polkinghorne knows the danger of Canberra’s attack all too well, being one of three players who played for the Roar in the 2008-09 Championship victory.
“We have to make sure the structures are right,” she said
“We just need to make sure we continue to build on our performances and Canberra is going to be an extremely tough game.”
The Roar defence will take confidence into the match after conceding just one goal in their opening two fixtures.
The incredible depth of the Roar squad has seen players battling for Starting XI spots which Polkinghorne says is a great asset for the side.
“It’s probably something we have been lacking in the last couple of seasons,” Polkinghorne said.
“It’s really good to see that people are pushing for starting positions and it just makes the whole environment more competitive.”
Brisbane Roar v Canberra United
A.J. Kelly Field, Sunday, 20 November. Kick-Off: 4:00PM (Local)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2.Nina FRAUSING-PEDERSEN, 3.Amy CHAPMAN, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5.Brooke SPENCE, 6.Angela BEARD, 7.Sunny FRANCO, 8.Kaitlyn TORPEY, 10.Katrina GORRY, 11.Maili FORBES, 12.Allira TOBY, 13.Tameka BUTT, 14.Summer O’BRIEN, 15.Abbey LLOYD, 17.Emily GIELNIK, 18.Maddy EVANS, 20.Georgina WORTH (gk) **one to be omitted**
Ins: 5.Brooke SPENCE (returns from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 9.Cortnee VINE (Fractured Fibula – 4-6 weeks)
Canberra United squad: 1.Trudy BURKE (gk), 2.Yukari KINGA, 4.Clare HUNT, 5.Jenna McCORMICK, 7.Ellie BRUSH, 8.Hayley RASO, 9.Jasmyne SPENCER, 10.Grace MAHER, 11.Michelle HEYMAN, 12.Hannah BREWER, 13.Celeste BOUREILLE, 14.Ashley SYKES, 16.Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 19.Nickoletta FLANNERY, 20.Georgia BORIC (gk), 22.Stephanie OCHS **one to be omitted**
Ins: 16.Karly ROESTBAKKEN (promoted), 20.Georgia BORIC (return from injury)
Outs: 21.Georgia STEWART (not selected)
Unavailable: 15.Emma CHECKER (knee – 5 weeks)
