Head Coach Robbie Fowler says his side know just what they’re capable of us despite heading into tomorrow’s Hyundai A-League Round 1 meeting with Perth Glory as staunch outsiders.
The Roar open their 2019/20 campaign on the road against a side who finished well clear at the top of the league last season full of confidence with a raft of fresh faces in contention to make their Club debut.
“We know how many players have come in – we could potentially have ten players make their debut tomorrow night and I think we’ve gone under the radar a little bit,” Fowler said.
VIDEO: Neville ready for return to Perth
READ: Roar v Glory – what the numbers say
“We know internally what our expectations are – we want to be competitive; we want to make it difficult for opposition teams, but at the same time we know how difficult it’s going to be.
“As long as we put a shift in, work hard and do everything we can in terms of helping each other, we can get the points.
The Roar are hunting a first win at HBF Park since the final round of the 2017/18 campaign and know that they have what it takes to get their campaign started on the front foot.
“We know, the players and coaches, just what we’re capable of and flying under the radar is perfect for us,” Fowler continued.
“We go to Perth as big underdogs up against a great team, with great individuals and a great manager. Our boys are really looking forward to getting the season going and see where we’re at against other [Hyundai] A-League teams.”
Former Motherwell defender Tom Aldred will have the first opportunity to lead his side out in Hyundai A-League action tomorrow night as the Club’s new captain.
The skipper knows his side has what it takes to get the season off to a perfect start.
“We’re really looking forward to starting the season. We have gone under the radar a bit – that’s good for us. We feel like we’re an exciting team going forward and we can create plenty of problems for opposition sides,” Aldred said.
“We played a lot of pre-season games, but tomorrow is the start of the new season, what we’re all looking forward to.
“Starting away to the top side from last season will be a tough test for us, but we go there full of confidence.”
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MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Round 1: Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar
HBF Park, Perth
Sunday, 13 October (5pm KO QLD time)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Jacob TRATT, 4.Gregory WUTHRICH, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 8.James MEREDITH, 9.Bruno FORNAROLI, 12.Kim SOO-BEOM 13.Osama MALIK, 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Tomislav MRCELA, 17.Diego CASTRO (c), 19.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 27.JUANDE, 29.Kristian POPOVIC, 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 88.Neil KILKENNY **2-4 to be omitted**
Unavailable: 5.Ivan FRANJIC (suspended – 1 week)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1.Max CROCOMBE (gk), 2.Scott NEVILLE, 5.Tom ALDRED (c), 6.Macaulay GILLESPHEY, 7.Jai INGHAM, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 10.Bradden INMAN, 12.Aiden O’NEILL, 13.Stefan MAUK, 15.Aaron REARDON, 20.Aaron AMADI-HOLLOWAY, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Jake MCGING, 23.Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 24.Connor O’TOOLE, 25.Rahmat AKBARI, 26.Jay O’SHEA **two to be omitted**
Unavailable: Nil
Referee: Shaun Evans
Assistant Referee 1: Josh Mannella
Assistant Referee 2: Arvin Shanmuganathan
Fourth Official: Adam Fielding
VAR: Chris Beath
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 6:00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 7 (New Zealand), Kayo Sports (www.kayosports.com.au) and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers.
