Brisbane Roar skipper Matt Smith believes the club’s growing rivalry with the Melbourne Victory is great for the future of the Hyundai A-League.
Brisbane Roar skipper Matt Smith believes the club-s growing rivalry with the Melbourne Victory is great for the future of the Hyundai A-League.
Tomorrow-s Harvey Norman Friday Night Football match will be former coach Ange Postecoglou-s final game in charge at the Victory and according to Smith, it is these blockbuster games help build Australian football culture.
“It-s great for the A-League. Although the league is only nine years old now, this history builds the culture of football,” Smith said.
“Games like this, over time, will be etched into people-s memories.
“These are the sorts of games that, as players, you really want to be a part of.”
Since Postecoglou left the Roar to join Melbourne after the Roar-s back-to-back Championships, the two clubs- healthy rivalry has only increased.
The sides met three times last season with a thumping 5-0 win to the Roar in round two followed by two draws.
Smith said that while the Victory will be looking to send Postecoglou out as a winner, the Roar will have their own motivation.
“They may be playing for all different reasons, but for us it-s about improving on our performances from the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“We didn-t start as well in Wellington but we got the three points.
“We performed much better against Sydney and now it-s our job to go down to Melbourne and get the three points again.”
After much hype, Postecoglou was officially confirmed as coach of the Socceroos earlier this week and Smith endorsed his selection.
“He certainly knows how to get the best out of people,” Smith said of Postecoglou, who made him captain of the Roar in August 2011.
“His aura as a coach speaks for itself, and I think he-s the right person for the job
“Ange wants the best players for the philosophy, system and culture that he wants. Ange will pick the best side available, whether they are young or old.
“For us though, the focus is purely on Friday night.”
Friday, 25 October 2013
Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Kick-off: 6.30pm Brisbane time (7:30pm AEDT)
Referee: Ben Williams
TV Broadcast: 7.30pm (AEDT) Live coverage on FOX Sports 1HD, SBS 2 and Sky Sport 3 (New Zealand).
Radio Broadcast: 612 ABC Brisbane, ABC Local Radio Queensland, 774 ABC Melbourne, ABC Local radio Victoria, ABC Local Radio Tasmania, Grandstand Digital and Online/Mobile phone app.
