With two key players an outside chance to play against Wellington Phoenix, Brisbane Roar Head Coach Mike Mulvey will “roll the dice” on his team selection for tomorrow night’s match at Suncorp Stadium.
With two key players an outside chance to play against Wellington Phoenix, Brisbane Roar Head Coach Mike Mulvey will “roll the dice” on his team selection for tomorrow night-s match at Suncorp Stadium.
The Brisbane boss is already without Besart Berisha (suspended) and Ivan Franjic (stomach injury) with doubts over midfield duo Matt McKay and Liam Miller-s likelihood to play the Kiwi side after picking up knocks in last weekend-s 0-0 draw with Perth Glory.
If left out of the final 16, Mulvey can call on a host of youngsters at the club including Devante Clut, Brandon Borrello, Patrick Theodore and Jai Ingham – all who have appeared in the Brisbane Roar squad over recent weeks.
“Liam is a little bit tender from last week and we-ve given him a pretty easy week but he-s a chance to play tomorrow night,” he said.
“Matty McKay… is also a chance to play tomorrow night as well. If they-re not, we-ve got other players to come in.”
But there was also some positive news from the Roar camp with young defensive duo James Donachie (groin) and Corey Brown (AFC U22 Championships) back at training ahead of the Hyundai A-League round 16 fixture.
“We get James Donachie back, we get Corey Brown back as well so we-ve done alright when we-ve jiggled the squad around,” Mulvey said.
“This is what it-s about – it-s a squad game and we-ve got 11 games left in the regular season, 8 at home and we hope to ramp home that advantage.”
The club will host their maiden Westfield W-League and Hyundai A-League double header at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow with Brisbane Roar W-League facing off against Western Sydney Wanderers in the early kick-off.
Mulvey, the reigning Westfield W-League Coach of the Year following his stint with Melbourne Victory Women last season, welcomed the concept.
“Our average crowd this season is up by about 4 or 5 thousand and I think a lot of those will be keen to see the W-League game played as a curtain raiser,” he said.
“I think everyone would dream about having a triple header – the youth team, women and into the seniors – but I think it-s a progressive step by the club and I welcome it.”
Brisbane Roar W-League kick off round 10 of the Westfield W-League against Western Sydney Wanderers at 4pm before Brisbane Roar take on Wellington Phoenix at 7pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Friday, 24 January 2014
Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 7.00pm local (8:00pm AEDT)
Referee: Chris Beath
Assistant Referee 1: Brad Hobson
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Lindsay
Fourth Official: Matthew Gillett
TV broadcast: 7.00pm (AEDT) Live coverage on FOX Sports 1HD, SBS 2 and on Sky Sport 1 (New Zealand).
Radio Broadcast: ABC Grandstand Full coverage Online/Mobile phone app. SBS Radio.
Brisbane Roar squad: 1.Michael THEO, 2.Matthew SMITH (c), 3.Shane STEFANUTTO, 10.HENRIQUE, 11.Liam MILLER, 13.Jade NORTH, 14.Diogo FERREIRA, 15.James DONACHIE, 17.Matt McKAY, 18.Luke BRATTAN, 19.Jack HINGERT, 20.Matthew ACTON (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 23.Dimitri PETRATOS, 26.Corey BROWN, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 34.Patrick THEODORE, 35.Jai INGHAM **Two to be omitted**
Ins: 14.Diogo FERREIRA (returns from suspension), 15.James DONACHIE (returns from injury), 26.Corey BROWN (returns from international duty – Young Socceroos)
Outs: 7.Besart BERISHA (suspended – one week)
Unavailable: 5.Ivan FRANJIC (stomach injury – one week), 25.George LAMBADARDIS (knee – season)
Wellington Phoenix Squad: 1.Glen Moss (GK), 2.Manny Muscat, 3.Reece Caira, 4.Luke Adams, 5.Michael Boxall, 6.Josh Brindell-South, 7.Leo Bertos, 10.Stein Huysegems, 11.Jeremy Brockie, 12.Tyler Boyd, 13.Albert Riera, 14.Alex Rufer, 15.Jason Hicks, 17.Vince Lia, 18.Ben Sigmund, 20.Lewis Italiano (GK), 22.Andrew Durante (c), 24.Roy Krishna. **Two to be omitted**
In: 3.Reece Caira (returns from u-22 international duty), 4.Luke Adams (promoted), 6.Josh Brindell-South (promoted), 14.Alex Rufer (promoted), 15.Jason Hicks (promoted),
Out: 9.Kenny Cunningham (international duty), 21.Carlos Hernandez (international duty), 23.Michael Ridenton (injury).
Unavailable: 8.Paul Ifill (ruptured Achilles, 8-12 months), 16.Louis Fenton (shoulder injury, season), 23 Matthew Ridenton (medial ligament strain, 1-2 weeks).
