An intense week on the training park has Head Coach John Aloisi expecting a positive reaction from his side in tomorrow’s Hyundai A-League clash against the Wanderers.
The Roar head to Mudgee in regional New South Wales for the first Hyundai A-League fixture to be played at Glen Willow Sporting Field, as the league also pays tribute to fallen service men and women with Remembrance Round.
Aloisi’s side is determined to put in a strong performance after a first loss of the season at the hands of Perth Glory last week, and the squad’s reaction in training this week suggests that’s on the cards.
MUST SEE: BRFC squad for Mudgee trip
“I expect a reaction from the players, and I felt one on the first day back at training,” Aloisi said following Friday morning’s final pre-match training session.
“Everyone was disappointed in the result and everyone’s been making sure this week that they’re ready for Saturday.
“The intensity has been there and the boys are fighting for every ball. They’ve been desperate in defence and in attack and that’s what makes a big difference.”
The Roar were forced to rue a slow start against the Glory, falling behind in the opening stages and never recovering.
Tomorrow’s opponents opened the scoring in their last outing at a similar stage last weekend, further emphasising the importance of getting started on the front foot.
“The start [against the Glory] wasn’t good enough – we weren’t even in the game for the first half hour. We saw in the second half, once we settled and started to play our style, we nearly snatched something at the end,” Aloisi added.
“It’s important that we start well because we haven’t in the last couple of games. We’ve been working on that this week, with and without the ball.
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“We just need to be aggressive from the start – that’s the biggest message this week.”
The Wanderers had three different scorers in last weekend’s victory against the Phoenix and will be buoyed by what is the Club’s first home fixture of the 2018-19 season.
He pulled off Save of the Week, and a strong Save of the Season contender last round, but goalkeeper Jamie Young knows he’ll have to be well guarded in Mudgee.
VIDEO: Jamie Young’s incredible save
“They showed last weekend that they have a number of attacking threats. That’s something we have looked at this week and we’ll do our best to negate it,” Young said.
“It’s a good challenge and a great opportunity for us. We approach every game with the same mindset so tomorrow will be no difference.”
Watch our boys in action LIVE on Saturday from Mudgee on Fox Sports 505 from 4:30pm (QLD time).
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018-19 – Round 4: Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar
Glen Willow Sporting Field, Mudgee
Saturday, 10 November (4:35pm KO QLD time)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1.Danijel NIZIC (gk), 4.Josh RISDON, 5.Brendan HAMILL (c), 7.Nick FITZGERALD, 8.Jordan O’DOHERTY, 9.Oriol RIERA, 10.Alex BAUMJOHANN, 11.Bruce KAMAU, 12.Ruon TONGYIK, 13.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 17.Keanu BACCUS, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Rashid MAHAZI, 24.Raul LLORENTE, 28.Roly BONEVACIA, 49.Abraham MAJOK **two to be omitted**
Ins: 12.Ruon TONGYIK (promoted), 13.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 19.Mark Bridge (injury – 3 weeks)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Brendan WHITE (gk), 2.Dane INGHAM, 4.Daniel BOWLES, 6.Avram PAPADOPOULOS, 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Adam TAGGART, 11.Eric BAUTHEAC, 14.Alex LOPEZ, 17.Matt McKAY (c), 18.Joe CALETTI, 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Tobias MIKKELSEN, 23.Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 24.Connor O’TOOLE, 33.HENRIQUE, 36.Daniel LECK **two to be omitted**
Ins: 18.Joe CALETTI (promoted), 23.Dylan WENZEL-HALLS (promoted), 36.Daniel LECK (promoted)
Outs: 26.Nicholas D’AGOSTINO (illness – 1 week)
Unavailable: 10.Brett HOLMAN (knee – TBC), 13.Stefan MAUK (abductor – 1 week)
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
Assistant Referee 1: Lance Greenshields
Assistant Referee 2: Scott Edeling
Fourth Official: Ben Abraham
VAR: Kris Griffiths-Jones
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 4.30pm (QLD time), Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand) and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers
Radio Broadcast: myfootballnation.com (SRN, 4BC (tbc) and SEN+). ABC News on Radio, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #WSWvBRI #RemembranceRound
