Head Coach Mike Mulvey believes a tough encounter awaits as Brisbane Roar prepare for their round 6 Hyundai A-League clash against Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium on Sunday.
Head Coach Mike Mulvey believes a tough encounter awaits as Brisbane Roar prepare for their round 6 Hyundai A-League clash against Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium on Sunday.
After an impressive victory away to the Mariners last Sunday, the table-topping Roar will again be chasing maximum points but Mulvey is wary of a Jets side whose confidence will be lifted following their first win of the season last round.
“There are no easy games in the A-League. If you go to Newcastle you know you-re going to be in for a game of football,” Mulvey said.
“They have parochial and passionate fans and they-ve just won away in Adelaide which is no mean feat”.
Jade North returns for the Roar, a timely boost with Matt McKay and Ivan Franjic unavailable through Socceroos commitments.
Mulvey insists that his side remains strong and will take the challenge to Newcastle.
“They will probably fancy their chances a little bit more as we might seem weaker in their eyes and I can assure you we are not,” Mulvey said.
“We will be going down there to try and win the game, and we-re in for one hell of a challenge”.
The two sides last met at the Hunter Stadium in February, playing out a tough nil all draw and Mulvey said that an early goal might prove crucial.
“Last year we drew 0-0, and lost 1-0 down there,” he said.
“A good start would be to actually score a goal, that-d be the first point”.
Meanwhile, striker Besart Berisha will again be unavailable as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury but Mulvey said Berisha-s return to the starting side is imminent.
“He has come along nicely. The wound has healed and he is at full pace now,” Mulvey said.
“Another week of training while we are away and he will be in good shape soon.”
Sunday, 9 November 2013
Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 5:00pm local (5:00pm AEDT)
Referee: Matthew Gillett
Assistant Referee 1: Scott Edeling
Assistant Referee 2: Ryan Gallagher
Fourth Official: Tim McGilchrist
TV Broadcast: 7.30pm (AEDT) Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD. Sky Sport 1 (New Zealand).
Radio Broadcast: 1233 ABC Newcastle, 612 ABC Brisbane, ABC Local Radio Queensland, Grandstand Digital Online/Mobile phone app.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #GoRoar
Newcastle Jets Squad: 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK), 2.Scott NEVILLE, 3.Taylor REGAN, 4.Kew JALIENS, 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 7.Andrew HOOLE, 8.Ruben ZADKOVICH (c), 9.Emile HESKEY, 10.Nathan BURNS, 11.Craig GOODWIN, 12.Connor CHAPMAN, 15.Josh BRILLANTE, 16.Jacob PEPPER, 18.James BROWN, 19.Michael BRIDGES, 20.Ben KENNEDY (gk), 21.Sam GALLAWAY, 22.Adam TAGGART **two to be omitted**
Ins: Craig Goodwin (promoted), Taylor REGAN (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Mitch COOPER (knee – 2 weeks)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Michael THEO (gk), 2. Matthew SMITH (c), 10. HENRIQUE, 13. Jade NORTH, 14. Diogo FERREIRA, 15. James DONACHIE, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 19. Jack HINGERT, 29. Matthew ACTON (gk), 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Dimitri PETRATOS, 26.Corey BROWN, 27. Devante CLUT, 28. Brandon BORRELLO, 29.Kwame YEBOAH, Lachlan JACKSON, Patrick THEODORE, Ben LITFIN **two to be omitted**
In: Jade NORTH (returns from injury), Lachlan JACKSON (promoted), Patrick THEODORE (promoted), Ben LITFIN (promoted)
Out: Ivan FRANJIC (International duty – 1 week), Matt McKAY (International duty – 1 week)
Unavailable: Shane STEFANUTTO (hamstring – one week), Besart BERISHA (hamstring – one week), Liam MILLER (calf – one week), George LAMBADARDIS (knee – season)
