Interim Head Coach Darren Davies says his side is full of confidence heading into Saturday’s Hyundai A-League clash against Perth Glory at HBF Park (9pm KO QLD time).
The Roar go into Saturday’s match looking to make it back-to-back wins following last weekend’s come-from-behind victory over defending premiers Sydney FC.
Davies says his side are looking to use last week’s result as a springboard into the final third of the season.
“The boys have taken a lot of confidence from that result but we’re speaking now about moving forward and using that as a springboard for a performance against another good side this weekend,” Davies said.
“We’re away from home, against a good side over in Perth so everything’s stacked against us, but we’ll be going over there trying our best to get a result.”
Davies added his side’s most recent outings against Perth would only serve to further their motivation ahead of Saturday’s clash.
The Glory got the better of the Roar in a high-scoring six-goal contest back in January, but Davies says there were positives to pull from that match.
“When we played them at 11v11 it was certainly a good contest and we’ll take confidence from that,” Davies continued.
“The first half particularly the last time we played against Perth was good — it was fairly tight as far as possession and chances are concerned and we took a deserved lead.”
Last week’s match winner Dylan Wenzel-Halls, who has just inked a new two-year deal with the Club, mirrored Davies sentiments and said he & his teammates are raring to go ahead of Saturday’s match.
“They’ve been the best team all season, they’re at the top for a reason & I think it’s a good challenge for us,” Wenzel-Halls said.
“We had a good game on the weekend so we’ll go to Perth and we’ll give it our best shot. I think we’re in good shape to do so.
“Everyone’s got a little spring in their step, there’s confidence around the place & it was a good feeling after the game last week, we want to feel like that every game.”
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 19: Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar
HBF Park, Perth
Saturday, 16 February (9pm KO QLD time)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3.Jason DAVIDSON, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 9.Andy KEOGH, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 16.Tomislav MRCELA, 17.Diego CASTRO, 19.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 23.Scott NEVILLE, 27.JUANDE, 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 88.Neil KILKENNY **two to be omitted**
Ins: 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 16.Tomislav MRCELA
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 2.Alex GRANT (thigh – 1 week)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Brendan WHITE (gk), 2.Dane INGHAM, 4.Daniel BOWLES, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 11.Eric BAUTHEAC, 12.Ruon TONGYIK, 15.Stefan NIGRO, 17.Matt MCKAY (c), 18.Joe CALETTI, 20.Shannon BRADY, 22.Tobias MIKKELSEN, 23.Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 26.Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 31.Macklin FREKE (gk), 33.HENRIQUE, 35.Jay BARNETT, 36.Daniel LECK, 38.Izaack POWELL **two to be omitted**
Ins: 2.Dane INGHAM (returns from suspension), 4.Daniel BOWLES (returns from suspension), 12.Ruon TONGYIK (promoted), 20.Shannon BRADY (promoted), 35.Jay BARNETT (promoted), 36.Daniel LECK (promoted)
Outs: 3.Luke DEVERE (knee), 9.Adam TAGGART (international transfer), 14.Alex LOPEZ (suspended), 19.Jack HINGERT (knee)
Unavailable: 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN (ankle),10.Brett HOLMAN (knee), 13.Stefan MAUK (groin), 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk) (suspended), 24.Connor O’Toole (broken leg)
Referee: Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referee 2: Matthew Southern
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding
VAR: Kurt Ams
