Striker Adam Taggart says Brisbane Roar are eyeing Sunday’s clash as a big opportunity to launch themselves into the second half of the Hyundai A-League season.
The Roar return to Suncorp Stadium following three straight matches on the road this Sunday to face the top-of-the-table Glory.
The former Glory striker, who scored his seventh goal for his new club on Wednesday night says the clash is a chance to continue building momentum.
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“It’s a massive opportunity for us — Perth has everything to lose being top of the league so I think it’s a great chance for all of us to really try string together a couple of strong team performances,” Taggart said.
A jam-packed schedule to open 2019, which includes six matches in 22 days, doesn’t faze the Roar’s leading goalscorer.
“I think it’s a good thing (the short turnaround). It gives you a new opportunity and a fresh start. Sometimes the seven/eight-day turnarounds can be tough mentally,” Taggart continued.
Taggart was one of two Roar players to get their names on the scoresheet in Newcastle on Wednesday night, with Frenchman Eric Bautheac scoring the second of two fine team goals late in the second half.
“I’m happy because it’s my first goal of the season, and it was important because it got us a point. I never give up, like my team — we fight together and I’m confident we’ll score more this weekend,” Bautheac said.
“It was a good team goal, I thought both were. In the second half, we were a lot more offensive and got a lot more people forward which makes it easier as a striker, you can start making runs without three people marking you,” Taggart added.
“Not only mine & Eric’s goals against Newcastle, but also Matt’s goal against Sydney FC is the kind of thing we had been working on all pre-season so it was nice to see that pay off.”
The 87th-minute strike from Bautheac was simple reward for effort & provides a great confidence boost for the winger who has been one of the Roar’s most dangerous threats on the flanks throughout the opening rounds.
That confidence has been taken on board by the rest of the squad ahead of a return to Suncorp Stadium following a tough period of away games.
“We have great fans in Brisbane & it’s great to be back at home after three away games,” Bautheac continued.
“It will be a tough game for us, Perth is a very good team this season, but we’re playing at home and I’m sure we can win.
“In this league, anyone can beat anyone — it’s a very open league.”
MATCH DETAILS
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 – Round 11: Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sunday, 6 January (6pm KO)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Brendan WHITE (gk), 2.Dane INGHAM, 4.Daniel BOWLES, 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Adam TAGGART, 11.Eric BAUTHEAC, 14.Alex LOPEZ, 15.Stefan NIGRO, 17.Matt MCKAY (c), 18.Joe CALETTI, 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 23.Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 24.Connor O’TOOLE, 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 33.HENRIQUE, 34.Aaron REARDON **two to be omitted**
Ins: 4.Daniel BOWLES (returns from suspension), 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 6.Avram PAPADOPOULOS (glute),10.Brett HOLMAN (knee), 13.Stefan MAUK (groin)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Jason DAVIDSON, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 9.Andy KEOGH, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Tomislav MRCELA, 17.Diego CASTRO, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 27.JUANDE, 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 88.Neil KILKENNY **two to be omitted**
Ins: 4.Shane LOWRY (returns from suspension), 15.Brandon WILSON (promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: 19.Chris IKONOMIDIS (international duty)
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