Your Preview: Roar determined for three points against reigning Premiers on the road

Brisbane Roar will return to New Zealand this Sunday afternoon in an exciting clash against reigning Premiers Auckland FC at Go Media Stadium.

Returning from the international break, Roar will be determined to continue their solid start to the season after 2 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. Michael Valkanis’ side will be hungry to make a statement against the top of the table side away from home this weekend.

WHAT WAS SAID

Head Coach, Michael Valkanis is pleased with the work his side put in during the international break and after a productive training week, he is looking forward to a challenge against first place.

“It is a good test early on but I think the test is more so about us and where we’re at and where we want to get to,” Michael Valkanis said.

“I’ve been happy with the intensity of training and the way the boys have prepared, they’re up for it.”

TEAM NEWS

Brisbane Roar has locked in its Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s squad for Sunday afternoon’s Round 5 clash against Auckland FC at GO Media Stadium.

The trip to New Zealand will offer the boys the chance to continue their winning run following a 3-0 win over Newcastle Jets prior to the International Break.

Head coach Michael Valkanis has kept the same squad from their last hit out on the Sunshine Coast with Marcus Ferkranus (quad), Christopher Long (hamstring), Hosine Bility (hamstring), Antonee Burke-Gilroy (foot), Nathan Amanatidis (quad) and Benjamin Halloran (knee) all still recovering from injury.

Brisbane Roar Squad:  1. Dean BOUZANIS (GK), 2. Youstin Delfin SALAS GOMEZ, 3.Dimitri VALKANIS, 4. Benjamin WARLAND, 6.Austin LUDWIK, 7. Jacob BRAZETE, 8. Samuel KLEIN, 10. Georgios VRAKAS, 11. Macklin FREKE (GK), 12. Lucas HERRINGTON, 13.Henry HORE, 16.Matthew DENCH, 17. Justin VIDIC, 19. Michael RUHS, 23. James McGARRY, 26. James O’SHEA (C), 30.Quinn MACNICOL, 31.Noah MAIERONI, 44.Jordan LAUTON, 77. Milorad STAJIC

Ins: N/A
Out: N/A
Unavailable:  5. Marcus FERKRANUS (quad), 9.Christopher LONG (hamstring), 15.Hosine BILITY (hamstring), 22. Nathan AMANATIDIS (quad), 27. Benjamin HALLORAN (knee)

LAST TIME WE MET

In their last meeting, Auckland FC got the better of Brisbane in a 2-0 defeat at Suncorp Stadium in Round 24 of the 24/25 season.

The visitors opened the scoring with their first shot on target in first half stoppage time when Nando Pijnaker fired home a powerful header at the near post after being picked out by a Louis Verstaete cross.

Hiroki Sakai rounded out the 2-0 scoreline in the 85^th minute when he turned home a Logan Rogerson cutback from close range.

HEAD-TO-HEAD
Games: 2
Auckland wins: 2
Brisbane wins: 0
Draw: 0

MATCH DETAILS 
Isuzu UTE A-League 2025/26 – Round 5: Auckland FC vs Brisbane Roar FC
Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Sunday, 23 November (12:00pm AEST KO) LIVE on Paramount+