With coach sackings and ACL campaigns lost, it’s no wonder Brisbane Roar hasn’t been given much of the limelight.
We haven’t seen them in action in two weeks and now finally, after fixing every niggle and crack in training, Brisbane Roar is ready for the finals run.
This season’s powerhouse is ready and raring to go, while their opponents will be nursing jetlag and injuries from their failed Asian Champions League campaign.
Melbourne Victory will once again be in the air to meet Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow, and coach Kevin Muscat will hoping the team can quickly overcome its many obstacles.
Wednesday’s South Korean match saw right back Scott Galloway strain his right hamstring and Central defender Adrian Leijer suffered a reoccurrence of the right foot injury he picked up last week.
Leijer could have a chance, as could Socceroo Tom Rogic, who didn’t make the trip and trained well in Melbourne this week after a groin injury.
Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey on the other hand has a full squad to choose from. The only player out of action for the Roar will be George Lambadaridis.
Luke Brattan, who has played 26 out of 27 games for the Roar this season says training has produced a full and fit squad.
“Training has been really good this week – very intense and the boys have been performing.”
Saturday, a grand final replay will have the Western Sydney Wanderers vying for blood after they fell short of the title last year.
The Wanderers have been the only successful Australian club to progress in the Asian Champions League and with a trilling 5-0 win over Guizhou Renhe, the players will be on fire when they enter Pirtek Stadium for the semi-final.
Central Coast Mariners on the other hand have an ACL elimination to weigh them down and the pressure of keeping their title.
Coach Phill Moss wants a win against Western Sydney Wanderers to mean two things.
“For me, one of the key rewards of winning this weekend against Western Sydney Wanderers is getting another crack at the AFC Champions League next year.”
Last year, Western Sydney Wanderers had their first ever crack at the A-League, and their semi-final 2-0 win against Brisbane Roar catapulted them into the history books. Sadly the Mariners stole their storybook ending.
The rivalry has continued every since, and this match will be the blockbuster of the two semi-finals.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Central Coast Mariners
26 APRIL
Kick-off: 6:30PM
Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory
27 APRIL
Kick-off: 5:00PM
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane