It’s hard to imagine a time when Wellington Phoenix could be considered Brisbane Roar’s mortal enemy, but it’s safe to say Saturday’s clash with the Kiwis represents a genuine chance for revenge.
Things were going swimmingly until the Phoenix crossed the ditch and pulled off a classic smash-and-grab raid in a 3-0 win in Redcliffe back in January.
That was under former coach Giancarlo Italiano, who has since resigned – leaving Chris Greenacre in charge for his fourth stint as interim coach.
He notched his first win since Italiano’s departure with a 2-0 victory over Perth Glory last weekend, making this a clash of real significance for two sides still harbouring hopes of playing finals football.
Only goal difference separates Brisbane Roar from Wellington Phoenix going into this Saturday afternoon showdown at Suncorp Stadium – although it could have been more had the bounce of the ball gone the home team’s way in last Friday’s 2-2 draw with Western Sydney.
Not for the first time this season, the hosts looked much the better side than their opponents – even if a first A-League goal from Georgios Vrakas came with a healthy slice of good fortune.
But a couple of well-taken Wanderers strikes before half-time – and an injury to goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis – meant Michael Valkanis’ team was up against it in the second half.
The good news was debutant Niall Thom was up for the challenge, with the 19-year-old hardly looking out of place on an A-League pitch.
He stretched to poke home fellow substitute Quinn MacNicol’s cross, and it was VAR – for once – that helped confirm Thom was in an onside position for the equaliser.
Try as they might, the home team just couldn’t find a late winner – making Saturday’s clash with the Phoenix another hugely important encounter in the race for the finals.
One of the blessings of what has been a crazy A-League season is that with only five games still to play – including what looks like a vital clash with the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford – just about every team in the competition still has a mathematical chance of making the finals.
That’s certainly the case for a Brisbane Roar side aiming to record a first win since mid-January.
There’s no doubt Michael Valkanis hasn’t been helped by his team’s long injury list, with Milorad Stajic, Chris Long, and Nick D’Agostino.
But the good news has been the emergence of a talented group of youngsters – now including Thom – who look set to make their mark on the competition.
And having lost twice to the Phoenix already this season, the team in orange will need little extra incentive to avoid a third straight defeat to the Kiwis.
Only three points separates the eighth-placed Roar from the sixth-placed Mariners, and while the latter have a couple of games in hand, there’s no telling the effect a bit of scoreboard pressure will have on the teams around them in the run home.
It shouldn’t go unnoticed that Brisbane Roar have managed to score in all but one of their recent encounters since that win over Perth Glory in January – meaning it’s not a lack of goals that has been behind the dropped points.
Here’s hoping Saturday’s clash marks a turning point in a season that has been dogged by injuries and misfortune.
A come-from-behind draw against a dangerous Wanderers side gives Valkanis’ side a solid platform from which to mount a late-season charge.
But it has to start against the Phoenix – and, with any luck, it will ultimately end in three points.
Whether it’s Thom, MacNicol, or any other name, the home team just needs a hero.
Saturday gives us another chance to uncover one.
Mike Tuckerman
About Mike Tuckerman: Mike is a freelance football journalist and long-time Brisbane Roar watcher. He has written for the ABC, The Guardian, Australian Football Weekly, Football Australia and theroar.com.au.
