Tomorrow night’s match against Melbourne Heart is looming as one of the biggest nights in Brisbane Roar history as the chance to secure a maiden Hyundai A-League premiership and break the Australian football record for longest undefeated streak goes on the line at Skilled Park.
If the club manage to overcome the John van ‘t Schip-coached Melbourne Heart and battle for second place between Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide United in the following match results in a draw or a Reds victory, Brisbane Roar will clinch the minor premiership with two games left to play in the regular season.
The Heart clash is given even greater meaning for Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos, who will make his 100th Hyundai A-League appearance in the week 25 fixture.
Theoklitos, an intimidating figure between the posts for the Roar this season, is hoping to mark his milestone with three points that would all but guarantee the Premier-s Plate is heading to Brisbane.
“100 games, it-s a good milestone,” the in-form shotstopper said.
“I-m sure I-ll look back at the end of my career and remember the game, so hopefully we get a positive result.
“In saying that, Melbourne Heart are in good form, I think they-re six games undefeated and with three games to go, they have to win all three to make the finals.
“We are under no illusions, it-s going to be very difficult.
“We-ve been up to every challenge and I-m sure if we play to our potential, we can come away with a positive result and secure the minor premiership as well.”
Theoklitos anticipated a much more free-flowing encounter than Wednesday-s match against Wellington Phoenix, expecting a finals-like atmosphere at the Robina stadium with so much at stake for both clubs.
With 11 clean sheets to his name so far this season, the 29-year-old admitted his job would be tough against a side desperate for a win but said the circumstances of the match would suit the Roar.
“It-s their grand final, I-m sure they-ll say the same thing,” the two-time Hyundai A-League goalkeeper of the year said.
“The next three games – they have to win them.
“It-s a good thing for us because we-re quite an attacking team and if there are teams that park the bus, they-re obviously harder to break down.
“If teams open up and try to score against us it frees up our players and that-s the way we like to play to be quite honest.”
Brisbane Roar take on Melbourne Heart at Skilled Park on Saturday 29 January, kicking off at 4.30pm.
Brisbane Roar vs. Melbourne Heart
Sat, 29 Jan 2011
Skilled Park, Robina
Local kick-off: 4:30pm (5:30pm AEDT)
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Assistant referees: Dennis Silk and David Walsh
Fourth official: Matt Gillett
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 10. HENRIQUE, 12. Matt MUNDY, 14. Rocky VISCONTE, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 19. Chris BUSH, 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 21. James MEYER, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK
*three to be omitted*
In: Milan SUSAK (returns from suspension), Rocky VISCONTE (promoted), Chris BUSH (promoted)
Out: Luke DEVERE (transferred to Gyeongnam FC)
Unavailable: Matt McKAY (international duty – 1 week), Luke BRATTAN (groin injury – 1 week)
Melbourne Heart: 1.Clint BOLTON, 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Brendan HAMILL, 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 5.Michael BEAUCHAMP, 6.Matt THOMPSON, 7.Rutger WORM, 8.Kristian SARKIES, 9.Gerald SIBON, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 11.Alex TERRA, 12.Peter ZOIS, 15.John ALOISI, 16.Aziz BEHICH, 17.Jason HOFFMAN, 20.Josip SKOKO, 21.Kliment TASESKI, 22.Nick KALMAR, 23.Dean HEFFERNAN
*Four to be omitted*
In: Michael MARRONE (promoted), Brendan HAMILL (promoted), Jason HOFFMAN (promoted), Kliment TASESKI (promoted), Dean HEFFERNAN (promoted)
Out: Adrian ZAHRA (knee – TBC)
Unavailable: Nil
Head-to-Head: All matches (played 2): Brisbane Roar wins 2, Melbourne Heart wins 0 (0 draws
