Brisbane Roar will use both legs of the Hyundai A-League major semi-final to prove they are still the best footballing team in Australia, according to midfield maestro Thomas Broich.
Brisbane Roar will use both legs of the Hyundai A-League major semi-final to prove they are still the best footballing team in Australia, according to midfield maestro Thomas Broich.
Ahead of their first match-up tomorrow afternoon at Suncorp Stadium, Broich said it would be tough against the competition-s newly crowned premiers but acknowledged an increased drive to succeed each time his side faces their Central Coast opponents.
“To be honest, they-re always tough games and close results, apart from that one where we smashed them down there,” he said.
“They came close to beating us even last year at the finals.
“They-re a very consistent team, they-re very compact and it-s really hard to play against them.
“But our motivation levels are high against them and we really want to prove we are the best team in the country.
“We-re always switched on when we play them.”
Head Coach Ange Postecoglou has a full complement of players to choose from after Bahraini defender Mohamed Adnan shrugged off a knee complaint and took part in this morning-s training session – his first involvement all week.
Despite Postecoglou-s men being as close to full-strength as they have been throughout the entire 2011/12 campaign, Broich admitted it was a different feeling heading into this season-s finals series compared to the same time last year.
But, the German playmaker was keen to take note of the positives in the scenario.
“Last year, we had the momentum going and this year is bit different but it can also mean that we can grow as a playing group,” Broich said.
“The second year is always tougher, having to back up after a successful year.
“It-s always difficult but we-re in the semi-final and we-re a big chance to win in again this year.
“There-s plenty of confidence in the dressing room right now, it feels like all the players are on board and fit at the right time so we-re really looking forward to playing those two games.”
Brisbane Roar host Central Coast Mariners in the first leg of the Hyundai A-League semi-final at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow afternoon, kicking off at 4.30pm. Tickets are available at the gate or via the Ticketek website.
Saturday 31 March 2012
Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Local kick-off: 4.30pm AEST / 5.30pm AEDT
Referees: Strebre Delovski / Scott Edeling / Ryan Gallagher / Alan Milliner
Head-to-Head: All matches (played 26): Brisbane Roar wins 13, Central Coast Mariners wins 4 (9 draws)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Michael Theoklitos (GK), 2. Matt Smith (C), 3. Shane Stefanutto, 4. Matt Jurman, 5. Ivan Franjic, 6. Erik Paaratlu, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 9. Kofi Danning, 10. Henrique, 12. Matt Mundy, 16. Mohamed Adnan, 17. Mitch Nichols, 18. Luke Brattan, 19. Jack Hingert, 20. Andrew Redmayne (GK), 22. Thomas Broich, 24. Nick Fitzgerald. *two to be omitted*
In: 16. Mohamed Adnan (returns from injury), 18. Luke Brattan (returns from injury), 22. Thomas Broich, 2. Matt Smith, 17. Mitch Nichols
Out: 25. George Lambadaridis, 29. James Donachie (both omitted)
Unavailable: Nil
Central Coast Mariners squad: 1. Mathew Ryan, 2.Daniel Mcbreen, 3. Joshua Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 7. John Hutchinson, 9. Bernie Ibini, 11. Oliver Bozanic, 12. Troy Hearfield, 14. Michael Mcglinchey, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 17. Tomas Rogic, 18. Alex Wilkinson (C), 19. John Sutton, 20. Justin Pasfield (Gk), 22. Mustafa Amini, 23. Adam Kwasnik
In: 2. Daniel Mcbreen, 16. Trent Sainsbury (both promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
