Brisbane Roar boss, Ruben Zadkovich said Sunday’s Isuzu UTE A-League Round 22 clash against Wellington Phoenix at Sky Stadium is a challenge that his side are relishing.
With just five rounds remaining of the 2023/24 campaign Roar sit eighth, five points adrift of the competition’s top six as they hunt a return to finals football after a two-season absence.
Ruben Zadkovich’s side look to bounce after suffering just their second defeat in seven matches with a 2-1 loss against Macarthur in their last outing.
Wellington Phoenix, who come into the weekend three points clear of Central Coast at the summit of the A-League ladder defeated Sydney FC 2-1 in Round 21 as they push for a first ever Premiership.
Roar and the Phoenix have already met twice this season with a 92nd minute Corey Brown header sealing a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Suncorp Stadium last month while the Phoenix came out on top back in Round 3.
Speaking to media ahead of Sunday’s match, Zadkovich said his side were relishing the opportunity to test themselves against one of the competition’s front runners.
“There’s a real spirit here within the group and they certainly are working very, very hard on their game as individuals and also as a team, so that makes my job easier,” Zadkovich said.
“We need to turn positive performances and a positive confidence and belief in the group into results and that’s something that the sides struggled to do away from home this year at times, so we get the perfect opportunity, if I’m honest against a really good team.
“They’re well coached, they have some key threats but so do we and it’s a challenge that we’re really up for.”
Sunday’s match at Sky Stadium kicks off at 10am AEST and will be broadcast live on Paramount+
MATCH DETAILS
Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2023/24 – Round 22: Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Sunday, 31 March (10:00am AEST KO)
