Head Coach John Aloisi believes his team will thrive under the pressure of Hyundai A-League 2017 Finals Series football against Western Sydney Wanderers at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
The Roar have scored 11 goals in their last three games at Suncorp and Aloisi is banking on yet another strong performance in front of the home fans.
“The football we’ve been playing is a joy for everyone to watch,” said Aloisi.
“If we can get over 30,000 at Suncorp Stadium and make it a spectacle, everyone will remember the day.”
Last week’s thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Wellington Phoenix has left the squad in good spirits and Aloisi is counting on that momentum carrying over into Finals.
“The intensity at training was brilliant. It helps that we’re going into Finals in good form,” said Aloisi.
“Everyone’s confident that we’re going to get the win that we want.”
Despite losing to the Wanderers in last season’s Semi Final, Aloisi doesn’t view this match as a chance for payback.
“That hurt because we wanted to go to the Grand Final and it drove us more this preseason,” Aloisi said.
“There’s no revenge here. We want to go all the way.”
Roar midfielder Thomas Kristensen is fully aware of the need to finish the season strong for both the fans and departing club legend Thomas Broich.
“First we’re going to do it for the club and the fans, but of course we want to give Thomas a fantastic farewell,” said Kristensen.
“It’s not been a major issue, we’re focused on the game tomorrow.”
Kristensen is entering his maiden Hyundai A-League Finals Series, but the Dane tasted cup success twice in his native Denmark with FC Copenhagen, and is prepared for the pressure of knockout football.
“It’s always difficult, you can have a good season then it’s up to three games,” said Kristensen.
“It’s touch and go from now on, there’s no room for mistakes.”
Defender Luke DeVere made it clear in no uncertain terms that he is fired up for the Finals Series.
“If you can’t get up for a game like tomorrow, you shouldn’t be playing football,” DeVere said.
“We’re ready to go.”
Match details & squads
Hyundai A-League 2017 Finals Series Elimination Final. Brisbane Roar vs Western Sydney Wanderers. Friday, 20 April 2017, Suncorp Stadium. Kick-off 7:50pm (QLD time)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Michael THEO (gk), 3.Luke DEVERE, 5.Corey BROWN, 6.Avram PAPADOPOULOS , 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.Brett HOLMAN, 11.Tommy OAR, 13.Jade NORTH (c), 20.Shannon BRADY, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 25.Kye ROWLES, 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 29.Joe CALETTI, 46.Cameron CRESTANI **two to be omitted**
Ins: 5.Corey BROWN (promoted), 13.Jade NORTH (returns from illness), 25.Kye ROWLES (promoted)
Outs: 50.Dane INGHAM (not selected)
Unavailable: 4.Daniel BOWLES (knee – season), 15.ARANA (hamstring – 1 week), 17.Matt MCKAY (knee – 1-2 weeks), 19.Jack HINGERT (cheekbone – 1-2 weeks)
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 1.Jerrad TYSON (gk), 2.Shannon COLE, 3.Jack CLISBY, 5.Brendan HAMILL, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 7.Steven LUSTICA, 8.DIMAS (c), 10.Nicolás MARTÍNEZ, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 14.Jumpei KUSUKAMI, 15.Kearyn BACCUS, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 18.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk), 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 23.Lachlan SCOTT, 24.Terry ANTONIS **two to be omitted**
Ins: 3.Jack CLISBY, 6.Mitch NICHOLS, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.Scott NEVILLE, 14.Jumpei KUSUKAMI, 16.Jaushua SOTIRIO, 22.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 23.Lachlan SCOTT, 24.Terry ANTONIS (all promoted)
Outs: 17.Aritz BORDA, 21.Mario SHABOW, 26.Jackson BANDIERA, 28.Stefan ZINNI, 29.Ryan GRIFFITHS, 42.Keanu BACCUS, 49.Abraham MAJOK (all not selected)
Unavailable: 19.Jacob MELLING (back – indefinite)
