Brisbane Roar is looking to build on their positive start to the 2022/23 Isuzu UTE A-League season when they take on Melbourne City at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
After kicking off their 2022/23 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign with a clean sheet and a point in their 0-0 draw against Macarthur FC last weekend, head coach Warren Moon said his side will be looking to build on a positive start.
“We need to build on that but it doesn’t get much tougher than City, probably the benchmark of the competition in the last three years,” he said.
“We expect a tough challenge but hopefully we will have a good turnout with the home support and can get the job done.”
While the Roar weren’t unable to capitalise on their opportunities, the creativity from Carlo Armiento, Jack Hingert and Jay O’Shea to pick out Charlie Austin in the box, is expected to flourish as the season progresses.
“I don’t think people who saw the game [against Macarthur FC] went away disappointed thinking we didn’t create chances,” Moon said.
“We created a lot of chances, openings and moments, we were trying to be attacking, and it just didn’t fall for us.”
The Roar will be hoping to continue their undefeated record at Suncorp Stadium come Friday night, where they have been undefeated in their last six matches.
They’ve also kept a clean sheet in each of their last two games at the venue.
Despite winning five of their last six encounters against Roar, Suncorp Stadium hasn’t been the easiest ground for City to win at, only taking all three points in one of their seven meetings there.
Last week City got revenge for their grand final defeat when they beat Western United 2-1.
Like Macarthur, City will also present the home side defence with another attacking challenge with Socceroo and former Brisbane Roar striker Jamie Maclaren leading the charge.
Fellow Socceroo Mathew Leckie, new signing Kosovo international Velcon Berisha and Andrew Nabbout will slot in behind Maclaren, providing support from all areas going forward.
“That’s the challenge,” Moon said.
“They’re not easy, and we have to be constantly switched on because they’re that good that they can punish you for the slightest mistake, error or loss of concentration.
“We need to be at it for 90 minutes,” he added.
Catch all the action between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City live on Paramount+.
MATCH DETAILS
Isuzu UTE A-League
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City
Friday 14 October 2022
Suncorp Stadium
KO: 6:45pm AEST
