Brisbane Roar head to the hunter to face Newcastle Jets in Isuzu UTE A-League Round 20 action at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.
Roar come into Friday’s clash off the back of a bye, having played out a 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix in their last outing.
Henry Hore’s second goal in three games since returning from his loan spell in Korea cancelled out Isaac Hughes opener as the sides settled for a point apiece at Sky Stadium.
The Jets, who sit eleventh on the A-League ladder are unbeaten in their last four matches including back-to-back wins over Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United in the past two weeks.
New signing, Asumah Abubakar is in the mix to make his debut for the club against the Jets on Friday night after making a deadline day switch from Grasshopper Club Zurich.
The Portuguese U19 international of Ghanian descent brings blistering pace and goal-scoring instinct to the Roar attack.
Abubakar, who will wear the number 11 jersey joins Nathan Amanatidis and Austin Ludwik as Roar’s third addition of the January transfer window.
Friday’s match at McDonald Jones Stadium kicks off at 6:35pm AEST and will be broadcast live on Paramount+.
WHAT WAS SAID
“We’ve brought in four players in that window and I definitely think it’ll benefit the team, obviously we’ve lost a few as well and those changes are going to certainly spice up the team a little bit. But, like you’ve seen the last three weeks I think we’re on the up and I think hopefully we’ve gotten through the most difficult period for us and we want to pick up more points in this back half of the year.” Ruben Zadkovich
“We’ve been building the last few weeks with a couple of really strong performances, especially the win against Sydney, obviously a good point in Wellington. We’re all excited and we think we can do something special.” Sam Klein
TEAM NEWS
Asumah Abubakar is in the mix to make his debut for the club after arriving in Brisbane and training with his new teammates for the first time this week.
Ruben Zadkovich’s side will be with Lucas Herrington and Quinn MacNicol with the pair of exciting young Queenslanders away on international duty.
Herrington’s Young Socceroos side can book a spot at the U20 FIFA World Cup with a Quarter Final win over Iraq at the U20 Asian Cup in China on Saturday night.
MacNicol, is part of the Joeys squad alongside Young Roar duo, Rhys Williams and Charlie Parkin taking part Hattrick U17 International Tournament, the United Arab Emirates where they’ll face Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Corey Brown will also miss Friday’s trip to McDonald Jones Stadium through injury.
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Macklin FREKE (GK), 6. Austin LUDWIK, 7. Rafael STRUICK, 8. Walid SHOUR, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 11. Asumah ABUBAKAR, 13. Henry HORE, 14. Pearson KASAWAYA, 15. Hosine BIILITY, 17. Nathan AMANATIDIS, 18. Jacob BRAZETE, 19. Jack HINGERT, 21. Antonee BURKE-GILROY, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 24. Sam KLEIN, 26. Jay O’SHEA (C), 27. Ben HALLORAN, 29. Matt ACTON (GK), 35. Louis ZABALA, 43. Adam ZIMARINO
Ins: 11. Asumah ABUBAKAR (New signing), 14. Pearson KASAWAYA
Outs: N/A
Unavailable: 3. Corey BROWN (injured), 4. Ben WARLAND (injured), 12. Lucas HERRINGTON (international duty), 30. Quinn MACNICOL (international duty)
LAST TIME WE MET
Roar were edged out 1-0 by the Jets when the pair went head-to-head in the reverse fixture at Suncorp Stadium last month.
A second half header from substitute, Lachlan Rose proved decisive as Rob Stanton’s side took all three points.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Played: 57
Brisbane Roar wins: 21
Newcastle Jets wins: 24
Draws: 12
MATCH DETAILS
Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2024/25 – Round 20: Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar
Mcdonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Friday, 21 February (6:35pm AEST KO)
