Brisbane Roar Official Thread

Brisbane Roar



Full name: Brisbane Roar Football Club
Nickname(s): The Roar
Founded 1957, as Hollandia Inala Soccer Club
Ground Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (Capacity: 52,500)
Chairman: Dali Tahir
Manager: Ange Postecoglou
League: A-League
2010–11 1st (League)
1st (Finals)

Brisbane Roar Football Club (formerly Queensland Roar Football Club) is a professional football (soccer) club from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia competing in the Hyundai A-League national competition, playing their home games at Suncorp Stadium. They officially changed their name to Brisbane Roar FC on 5 May 2009 due to the introduction of two new Queensland based clubs, Gold Coast United and the North Queensland Fury. In the 2010–11 A-League season, the club won its first ever Premiership and Championship after a season which saw them go undefeated in 28 games, including the Grand Final. With that feat, they won automatic entry into the 2012 AFC Champions League. Brisbane Roar holds the record for the longest unbeaten run at the top level of any Australian football code, which stands at 36 league matches without defeat.

History

Formation
Brisbane Roar is the oldest club currently in the A-League, having been originally founded in 1957 as Hollandia-Inala Soccer Club by Dutch immigrants and based in the Brisbane suburbs of Richlands. After adopting the name Brisbane Lions in the 1970s, the club competed in the defunct National Soccer League from 1977 until the end of the 1988 season before reverting down to the Brisbane Premier League thereafter. The club changed their name to Queensland Lions after coming to an agreement with the Brisbane Lions AFL club in the 1990s.

At the time of conception of the A-League, teams from several capital cities were preferred to form the foundation clubs. By June 2004 two of the twenty submissions for joining the league were sought by partnerships formed in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. On 1 November 2004 the group headed by Queensland Lions were chosen as operators of the Brisbane team. In March the following year the Roar were officially launched as a club. The Roar's first-ever board consisted of chairman John Ribot, a former CEO of both National Rugby League clubs Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm, deputy chairman Gary Wilkins, former Queensland and Australian player, and CEO Lawrence Oudendyk, who is also Queensland Lions CEO.

Grounds
The Brisbane Roar have always played their home matches at the 52,500 capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Previously known as Lang Park, the stadium was also the home ground for the Brisbane Strikers in the now-defunct NSL. The stadium was also one of five venues in the successful 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship where the ground hosted seven matches. Suncorp Stadium has hosted Socceroos international fixtures, games at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Recently, it held a concert for world renowned band U2 for their 360° tour

At the beginning of the 2010-11 Season, during negotiations with the operator of Suncorp Stadium, there were suggestions that the club may move its home games to Ballymore Stadium where the club has its administration and training facilities. However, the owners of the club opted to stay at Suncorp Stadium on a new restructured contract that would ensure the financial viability of hosting games at the more expensive Suncorp Stadium.

Following the flooding of Suncorp Stadium in the 2010–2011 Queensland floods, the Roar were forced to move two home games against Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Heart to the regular home of Gold Coast United at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast. These matches are the first 'home' league fixtures that the Roar have played at a venue other than Suncorp Stadium in the clubs' history. In a spectacular 2011 A-League Grand Final, the 50,168 strong fans would make history, being the largest crowd to watch both the Roar and a football match in Brisbane.

Affiliated Clubs

• Queensland Lions – founded the club and played a part in Queensland Roar's inaugural roster.
  
  
• Atlético Mineiro – The partnership was signed in 2008 and it will assist both the Roar and Atlético Mineiro in footballing matters both on and off the field in areas of sports medicine, physiology, fitness training and club marketing. The partnership also adds the possibility of pre-season fixtures between the two teams, as well as an opportunity for the Roars younger players to learn skills with the Atlético Mineiro junior-development programs.
  
  
• Pelita Jaya FC - Affiliation due to The Bakrie Group ownership.
  
  
• C.S. Visé - Affiliation due to The Bakrie Group ownership.
  
  
• Indonesian SAD Team - Affiliation due to The Bakrie Group ownership.

Crest & Colous
During the first two seasons the Roar played in a predominantly orange home strip with blue shorts and maroon socks. Queensland sporting teams traditionally play in maroon but the original home strip kept with the colours used by the team in its earlier incarnations. The colours of orange and blue honour the club's Dutch origins. On 31 July 2007 the club announced that it had ordered a strip that was half orange and half maroon, but that the colours were manufactured for prominence on television. For season three the home kit had been redesigned, the home strip is still orange but features maroon sleeves, the shorts are maroon instead of blue and orange socks are worn. Danny Tiatto and Craig Moore modelled in the strip launch on 1 August 2007.

Before the 2009–10 A-League season, in accordance with the name changing of the club from Queensland Roar to Brisbane Roar, the club's logo was also changed with "Queensland" being dropped to make way for "Brisbane". On 20 May 2009, Reinaldo and Sergio van Dijk unveiled a new kit for the club, which would be worn for the next two seasons. The club stuck with the maroon and orange they had used for the last kit, but instead opted to drop the white slashes on the home kit. The orange used for the previous kit was brightened to the one used in season 1 of the A-League, with the design of both the new home and away kits changing. The slashes were dropped for a shoulder-pad style. The maroon shoulder pads would be displayed on an orange body, with maroon shorts. This was reversed on the away kit, with the shoulder-pads being orange on a white body with orange shorts.

Prior to the 2011–12 A-League season, the club announced that maroon, which had featured in some way on the clubs' kits since the A-League inception, would be removed and replaced with black. On 5 September 2011, the club released their kits for the upcoming season. The club showed off their home kit, which was orange with black diagonal shoulders with a thin, white line under the black. This was supported by orange with black banded socks. The away kit would turn out to be predominately black, with only the orange shoulders on the top with the white line underneath and the black with orange banded socks. The same pants would be used for both the home and away kits, which would sport two orange bands and a white band on black pants. The kits released were the same design used by Tottenham Hotspur during their 2010–11 season.

Shirt Sponsors & Manufacturers

Period	Kit Manufacturer	Shirt Sponsor
2005-2006	Reebok	None
2006-2007	Reebok	Jayco
2007-2011	Reebok	The Coffee Club
2011-	Puma	The Coffee Club

On 30 November 2007, the club signed a two and a half year deal with cafe chain The Coffee Club to be their main shirt sponsor. The Coffee Club would re-sign with the Roar in August 2010 for another 3 years, making it one of the longest sponsorship deals in the A League. After the clubs license was taken back by Football Federation Australia in March 2011, the Coffee Club committed their future to the club, signing a $2 Million dollar, 3 year contract extension, sealing their future as sponsors until at least 2015.

At the conclusion of the 2010-11 A-League season, the A-League's kit deal with Reebok came to an end meaning that all A-League clubs could enter into their own separate kit manufacturer agreements. On 2 August 2011, the Roar announced that Puma would be the clubs' first kit manufacturer decided by the club itself by signing a three year deal with the sports brand. The club announced that Puma will manufacture the official playing kits for all Brisbane Roar teams, including the Youth and Women’s teams as well as replica kits and other merchandise.

Ownership and Finances
Currently, the club is owned by:

• The Bakrie Group - 70%
  
• Football Federation Australia - 30%

It is understood that in 2008 the 25% share owned by Queensland Lions was bought by the Roar board at a discount. This led to financial instability in the club and rumours of the club handing back its A-League licence to the FFA. On 16 April 2009 reports surfaced that the FFA were willing to purchase up to a 55% share in the Roar to ensure its financial stability. This 55% is to encompass CEO Oudendyk's 15% per cent interest, the 25% previously owned by Queensland Lions and the 15% share owned by Rob Jones and Rob Jansen. Any takeover by the FFA will see Lawrence Oudendyk replaced as CEO.

On 30 April 2009 the FFA confirmed their offer to take a controlling share in the Roar. The new owners partnership Emmanuel Drivas, Emmanuel Kokoris, Claude Baradel and Serge Baradel, declined the FFA's assistance on 22 May 2009. The owners' commitment to the club was reinforced in a statement released by Emmanuel Drivas on behalf of the owners on 12 April 2010 after further speculation that the Roar would require financial assistance from the FFA after a poor 2009–10 season.

In March 2011, just a week after the club won its first Grand Final, Football Federation Australia would take back the clubs license, agreeing to fund the club until new owners were found. FFA CEO Ben Buckley thanked the previous owners for pouring money into the Roar, who could not keep up with the future costs for the club.

On 4 October 2011, The World Game reported that Indonesian mining magnate, The Bakrie Group, would takeover ownership of the club from the FFA under a 10-year term. Under the terms of the deal, The Bakrie Group paid A$8 million for a 70% share of the club, with the FFA retaining the remaining 30% share. The Bakrie Group has the option to purchase a further 20% stake in the club however under the terms of this option, the FFA must hold the remaining 10% share. The Bakrie Group also own Indonesia Super League club Pelita Jaya FC and Belgian Second Division club C.S. Visé. Following this change of ownership, the new chairman of the Roar will be Dali Tahir.

Support
Brisbane Roar have two supporters groups, one located in bay 332 known to fans as The Den. They are positioned in the Northern stand (Bay 332) of Suncorp Stadium.

In 2010, a new supporters group named the River City Crew (RCC) were formed. before this move the group was located in the den and known as 'Brisbane Boys'. RCC stand in the southern end, in bay 310 of Suncorp Stadium opposite the Den. The group is focused on and based around active support.The River City Crew distance themselves from the den as much as possible, so they are not mixed up with the groups problems and happenings.

Rivalries
Due to its proximity to Gold Coast, Brisbane Roar's derby match is naturally against the Gold Coast United. There was also a rivalry with (now defunct) North Queensland Fury due to both clubs being in the same state although it was widely considered a regular match due to the distance between the two teams.

Although it is not a geographical rivalry, the Roar have developed a passionate rivalry with Central Coast Mariners. The Rivalry came about at the tail end of the 2010-11 season through either sides strong will to not lose to the other side. This would be highlighted in the 2011 A-League Grand Final, where in the 1st half of extra time, the Mariners would take a 2-0 lead into half time. With the Roar's will to win still strong, they would come back to level the game at 2-2, with 1 of their goals coming in the 117th minute and the other with the last kick of the game via a corner. During the Penalty Shoot-out, Central Coast Mariners striker Daniel McBreen would sledge Roar goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos. This would however be in vain, with Theoklitos saving McBreen's penalty kick.

Brisbane Roar also have a strong rivalry with Sydney FC.

A-League

The A-League would run it's first season in 2005-06. At the start of the 09-10 season (Season 5), the club were forced to rename themselves "Brisbane Roar" due to two other clubs coming into the competition, that being Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury.

Previous Seasons [Should Read]

• 2005/06 Season
  
• 2006/07 Season
  
• 2007/08 Season
  
• 2008/09 Season
  
• 2009/2010 Season
  
• 2010/11 Season

Current 2011/12 Season
On 10 February 2011, Brisbane Roar announced the signing of talented young defender Matthew Jurman from Sydney FC, to take the spot left open by Luke DeVere from the previous season. After making a solid return to the A League after spending a few years in Germany, defender Milan Susak would jet off to Indonesia to play for Minangkabau F.C. in Liga Primer Indonesia. After weeks of speculation about his impending move to Melbourne Victory, it was revealed on 28 March that Costa Rican forward Jean Carlos Solórzano had indeed made the move south. He said that he was grateful for the opportunities with the club but revealed the major stake in his decision was to link up with other Costa Rican players. Football Federation Australia made their first bit of business after taking back the license, other than re-signing Ange Postecoglou, by having Roar CEO Peter McLennan step down at the end of April. FFA CEO Ben Buckley thanked Peter for his unwavering support with the club and his contribution to football in Queensland.

It was revealed by both the Roar and the Courier Mail that Eugenie Buckley, a sports lawyer that helped out with the formation of the A League and it's push into Asia, would become the new General Manager for the team, taking over from the spot left by Peter McLennan. She was also the Chief Executive of the Australian Professional Footballers' Association and worked under John O'Neill in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. On 2 May, The same day the team went back to training, it was announced that Rocky Visconte had signed a deal with the club for a further two seasons after coming off contract with the club at the end of the season. It was announced on 31 May that Brisbane's title defence would start off with a Grand Final rematch against Central Coast Mariners, with the 1st M1 Derby coming in the 3rd round, home to Gold Coast United. On 21 June, former Socceroo Paul Trimboli was appointed the General Manager of Football, a role that was expanded from the position of Football Manager, held previously by Thiago Cruz.

On 27 June, the club announced it had signed current Young Socceroo Kofi Danning, who was released by Sydney FC at the end of the 2010–11 A-League Season. He is widely tipped to replace Jean Carlos Solórzano, who left the club to go to Melbourne Victory on loan from parent club LD Alajuelense. The following day it was announced the club had signed a 1 year deal with leading Australian sports apparel company 2XU to provide sports compression garments to the Senior, Youth and Women's teams for the following season. On 4 July 2011, the Roar announced they had signed young Australian defender Jack Hingert from Dandenong Thunder. The 20yr old signed a 2yr contract after impressing the coaching staff with his performances for now defunct A-League team North Queensland Fury last season. On 16 July 2011, the Roar revealed that leading goalscorer from the 10/11 season, Kosta Barbarouses, had signed with Russian outfit FC Alania Vladikavkaz on a 3yr deal. The fee of the transfer was undisclosed, although it's believed to be in the range of $300,000 - $600,000. On 2 August 2011, the Roar announced they had signed a 3yr deal with leading apparel company Puma. The deal will see the multinational company supply kits to all 3 of the Roar teams as well as replica kits and merchandise.

After weeks of speculation through the media in Queensland, former Bahraini International Sayed Mohamed Adnan signed a 1yr deal on 16 August 2011. The versatile defender, who was detained for 3 months for his protests against the Bahrain Government, will be used in the 3+1 quota for the 2012 Asian Champions League. Just a day later, the Roar announced a second signing in Albanian International striker Besart Berisha. The striker impressed Roar assistant coach Rado Vidosic during a match for German outfit Arminia Bielefeld, where the Roar Youth team coach was watching his son Dario Vidosic, who was then on loan from German Bundesliga side 1. FC Nuremberg. After over a month of uncertainty, the Roar were left with a massive hole in the side when skipper and original Roar player/captain Matt McKay was granted a UK working visa for his move to Scottish Premier League side Glasgow Rangers FC on 25 August. The transfer fee is unknown, but believed to be in the range of $320,000 - $1,000,000.

On 30 August 2011, the club announced they had signed Canadian International midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran from Danish top flight team AC Horsens on a one year deal. The signing fills up the clubs 5 visa spots. On 5 September 2011, the club released their kits for the upcoming season. The club showed off their home kit, which was orange with black diagonal shoulders with a thin, white line under the black. This was supported by orange with black banded socks. The away kit would turn out to be predominately black, with only the orange shoulders on the top with the white line underneath and the black with orange banded socks. The same pants would be used for both the home and away kits, which would sport two orange bands and a white band on black pants. The kits released were the same design used by Tottenham Hotspur during their 2010–11 season.

Just a day after the kit unveiling, the club would announce Matt Smith as the successor to Matt McKay's captaincy, with the midfielder having moved to Glasgow Rangers FC. On 20 September, CEO Eugenie Buckley would announce her departure, stepping down after her contract runs out, believed to be at the end of September. For Brisbane Lions CEO Michael Bowers will take the reigns of the club for the time being, until new owners are found for the Roar. On 23 September, the Roar announce they had signed 3 young Australians (Nicholas Fitzgerald, George Lambadaridis & Corey Brown), each to two year contracts. Football Federation Australia regulations allow for 3 players young enough to play in the NYL to be paid full-time wages outside the A-League salary cap.

On 4 October 2011, it was announced that the Bakrie family had acquired 70% of the club for a fee thought to be around $8M. The new Chairman of the club will be former AFC executive committee member Dali Tahir. On 28 October 2011, the Roar would set a new record for the biggest victory by the club, beating Adelaide United 7-1 at Suncorp Stadium. The scoreline would also create another record, being the most goals in a match with 8. New striker Besart Berisha would also create history, scoring the most goals in a game for Brisbane with 4. The Roar would go on to draw their following 2 games, 2-2 away vs Melbourne Victory and 1-1 at home to Wellington Phoenix. The style of play being played against the Roar was described as "parking the bus", a term meaning the opposition side would defend, with most, if not all, players behind the ball to protect the scoreline.

The following week, Brisbane recorded a 2-1 win away to Newcastle Jets, with the result being the Roar's 35th consecutive unbeaten match, equaling the 74 year old record for all Australian sporting codes, held by Rugby League Eastern Suburbs, who are now known as the Sydney Roosters. A week later, Brisbane defeated Perth Glory 4-0 at home, the team's 36th consecutive match without loss, to set a new record for the longest unbeaten streak at the top level of any football code in Australia. The Roar's streak would come to an end a week later against Sydney FC in wet and windy conditions at WIN Jubilee Oval. A goal in the first minute and another 20 minutes later would see the Roar lose for just the second time in 42 matches.

On 6 December 2011, the draw for the group stages of the 2012 Asian Champions League was made. The Roar, drawn in Group F would face the winners of the Japanese 2011 Emperor's Cup winners and 2011 J. League Division 2 champions F.C. Tokyo, 2011 K-League runners-up Ulsan Hyundai & 2011 Chinese Super League runners-up Beijing Guoan.[52]
Following the defeat to Sydney FC, the Roar then suffered a succession of defeats to Melbourne Heart (1-2 at home), Wellington Phoenix (0-2 away), Central Coast Mariners (1-2 at home) and Gold Coast United (0-1 away). The defeats coincided with the loss of key first team players Thomas Broich, Henrique, Mitch Nichols, James Meyer and culb captain, Matt Smith. In addition to a poor spell of form and injuries, the Roar were on the end of some contentious refereeing decision, no more notable than the 88 minute penalty awarded to Gold Coast United for a foul that appeared to have occurred outside the penalty box. This defeat would consign the Roar to their longest losing streak to date of 5 matches.

In Round 14, in front of a home crowd, the club snapped their losing streak in unlikely style. The Roar came from behind after conceding an early goal to win 3-1 against a star-studded Melbourne Victory. The Roar followed this up in Rounds 15 and 16 with draws away from home against Perth Glory (3-3) and Adelaide United (1-1). Like, the defeat to Gold Coast in Round 13, both matches were overshadowed by contentious penalty decisions which soct the Roar a potential win on both occasions. In their Round 15 clast with Perth Glory, it looked as though Brisbane's form slump would continue as they conceded two early goals to the Perth side, only to come back to be leading 3-2 with 20 minutes to play. However, in the 79th minute, referee Chris Beath pointed to the spot after Mile Sterjovski went down softly under the challenge of Ivan Franjic, the penalty was converted by Sterjovski and the Roar came away with only one point. The Roar's bad luck with the match officials continued in their Round 16 draw with Adelaide United. The Roar dominated the match in terms of posession and chances and were awarded with a goal to winger, Issey Nakajima-Farran with a half-hour to play. However for the second match running, in the 79th minute referee Ben Williams awarded Adelaide a dubious penalty. Matt Smith appeared to be accidently tripped by Aledaide stiker Bruce Djite, former Roar striker Sergio van Dijk then fell over the fallen Roar captain and the penalty was awarded. The penalty was converted and Brisbane again went home with just a single point.

In the buildup to the Round 17 clash with Sydney FC, Ange Postecoglou announced that key playmakers Thomas Broich and Henrique who were returning from injury were likiely to feature

Coaches
Miron Bleiberg was appointed as the then Queensland Roar's inaugural manager on 2 March 2005. Under pressure from the fans to deliver on his promises of attractive, attacking and successful football he resigned on 12 November 2006 following a poor start to the 2006–07 season. After much speculation, Bleiberg was replaced by former Australian national team coach, Frank Farina just three days after Bleiberg's resignation. Farina's arrival led to a mini-revival which saw the club narrowly miss out on what would have been the Roar's first finals appearance, on goal difference. The 2007–08 season, however, saw Farina make up for the shortfall of the previous season, qualifying for the finals for the first time in the club's history. A memorable performance in the second leg of the semi-final saw the Roar defeat arch rivals 2-0 (2-0 agg.) Sydney FC in front of a (then) club record 36,221 fans to qualify for the preliminary final against the Newcastle Jets. The Roar would controversially lose 3-2 to the Newcastle side, who would ultimately go on to win the Grand Final. Farina again qualified for the finals in 2008–09, where the Roar dispatched of Central Coast Mariners 4-2 on aggregate, however they ultimately lost, again in the preliminary final, to Adelaide United after failing to capitalise on their dominance. On 10 October 2009, Farina was arrested by Queensland Police for Driving under the influence.

He was initially suspended by the Roar and asked to show cause as to why he should not be sacked for tarnishing the name of the club. It was announced that assistant manager, Rado Vidosic would step into a caretakers role until a decision had been made which would include the M1 Derby, which the Roar lost 1-0 at home. Farina was ultimately sacked on 14 October 2009 and was replaced by former Australian Under-20 national team coach, Ange Postecoglou. The 2009–10 season ended as the worst in the Roar's short history, finishing second from the bottom. Postecoglou would complete a memorable turn-around in the 2010–11 season, winning the club's inaugural Championship then going on to complete the club's first Double by also wrapping up the Premiership in a memorable 2011 A-League Grand Final in front of a record 50,168 supporters. The club is also currently on a 34 match unbeaten run which commenced during Postecoglou's tenure as Roar manager. With the season ended at 28 games unbeaten, it would allow Postecoglou to take the claim to being the Roar's most successful manager in the club's history.

Other Notable Things I Can't Be Fucked Copying and Pasting
Squad (First-Team, Youth Team, Womens Team)
Notable Former Players
Representatives
Personnel
Records
End of Season Awards
IFFHS World Club Ranking

Match preview: Brisbane Roar vs. Sydney FC

Saturday 14 January

Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC

Venue: Suncorp Stadium

Local kick-off: 6:45pm (7:45pm AEDT)

Referees: Ryan Shepheard / Ashley Beecham / David Walsh / Alan Milliner

HEAD-TO-HEAD: All matches (played 22): Brisbane Roar wins 8, Sydney FC wins 6 (8 draws)

Brisbane Roar Squad: 1. Michael Theoklitos (GK), 2. Matt Smith, 3. Shane Stefanutto (C), 4. Matt Jurman, 5. Ivan Franjic, 6. Erik Paartalu, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 9. Kofi Danning, 10. Henrique, 11. Issey Nakajima-Farran, 14. Rocky Visconte, 16. Mohamed Adnan, 17. Mitch Nichols, 18. Luke Brattan, 19. Jack Hingert, 20. Andrew Redmayne (GK), 22. Thomas Broich

*Three to be omitted*

In: 10. Henrique (returns from knee injury), 19. Jack Hingert (promoted), 22. Thomas Broich (returns from heel injury)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Nil

Sydney FC squad: 1. Liam Reddy, 2. Sebastian Ryall, 3. Jamie Coyne, 4. Pascal Bosschaart, 5. Michael Beauchamp, 7. Brett Emerton, 8. Karol Kisel, 9. Bruno Cazarine, 10. Nick Carle, 11. Dimi Petratos, 12. Shannon Cole, 15. Terry McFlynn (c), 17. Terry Antonis, 18. Juho Makela, 19. Mark Bridge, 20. Ivan Necevski, 21. Scott Jamieson, 23. Rhyan Grant

*Three to be omitted*

In: Scott Jamieson, Jamie Coyne, Juho Makela (all promoted)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Mitch Mallia (knee – 1 week)

Expected starting line-ups:



Brisbane:

The biggest news for Brisbane is that finally, attacking trio Henrique, Thomas Broich and James Meyer are all back and fit for selection, although Meyer will return via the NYL on Sunday afternoon. Ange was quoted today after training that only 1 of Henrique and Broich will start the game in an ideal situation so it sounds as thou Henrique will return via the subs bench.

Most of the XI picks itself, but the final spot in the side depends on where Broich plays in the formation. If Thomas plays in the position he’s played all season then imo Murdocca will be the unlucky man to miss out, with Visconte keeping his spot on the left wing. However if Broich comes back and plays the wide left role he played last season Visconte will be the man to drop to the bench and Murdocca will maintain his starting role. My guess is that Broich will play LCM with Visconte at LW and Murdocca on the bench.

The other big team news is the injury to striker Besart Berisha, with the Albanian sharpshooter sitting out training for the majority of the week with an injury behind his knee. Besart believes he will be ready to go tomorrow night, but after today’s training Ange said that he’s planning for the game without Berisha and that he’d partake in the warm up tomorrow before the decision is made. If he’s fit he starts, but if he can’t go imo it’ll be Danning coming into the 15, with Henrique probably starting the game.

Sydney:

Well Sydney is pretty easy when you take a look at this report on the FFA webpage:

'After starting on the bench in the loss to the Central Coast last weekend, Bridge changed the game when he came on in the second half and has won his starting spot back at the expense of Brazilian striker Bruno Cazarine.

One other change is expected to the Sydney starting side for Saturday night’s match with Scott Jamieson likely to come in at left-back in place of Sebastian Ryall.'

Season form:
Brisbane: WWWWDDWWLLLLLWDD
Sydney: DLWDWWLLWDWDLLL

Season record vs. Sydney FC:
Round 2: Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar (Berisha 43’, Broich 72’)
Round 9: Sydney FC (Petratos 1’, Emerton 20’)

Top scorers:
Brisbane: Besart Berisha (9)
Sydney: Bruno Cazarine, Nick Carle (4)

Assists:
Brisbane: Thomas Broich (5)
Sydney: Pascal Bosschaart (3)

All-time record against Sydney FC:
Played 22- Won 8, Drawn 8, Lost 6

At Suncorp Stadium:
Played 12- Won 6, Drawn 4, Lost 2
Last home loss vs. Sydney FC: 22nd September 2007.

Keys to the game:
Brisbane:
Brisbane played very well last Saturday in Adelaide and on another day could have won the game comfortably so they are coming into this contest in some good form. The biggest key will be how Henrique and Broich slot back into the side coming off such a long layoff – 8 games for Broich, 7 for Henrique-.

At the back its time to tighten up as well with some sloppy defensive moments costing the side in recent weeks. Ok some have been due to poor refereeing decisions and bad luck, but it’s time to put in a solid defensive performance and keeping a clean sheet. Brisbane haven’t kept a clean sheet in 8 games –last was vs. Perth in a 4-0 win- and if the Roar are to go on a 2nd half run to catch the Mariners in the race for the Premiers Plate, the defensive errors will need to be kept at a minimum.

Last weekend the Mariners totally destroyed Sydney down their right hand side –Sydney’s left- with Pedj Bojic running amuck on that side culminating in the Bozanic goal after 9 minutes. Franjic and Issey will be crucial in the game and if they can get on top of the Sydney left hand side defence there are goals in that side. It should be pointed out however that Sydney made two changes on that side going into the game with Ryall and Kisel moving to that side, and will make a change at Lb tomorrow night with Jamieson coming back in.

Sydney:
In contrast to Brisbane, Sydney come into the clash down on form and possibly confidence. They are coming into the game on the back of a three game losing streak and some particularly poor performances against Wellington and Central Coast. They do however have some dangerous players in the attacking third.

In round 9 in Kogarah Sydney had an impressive game plan that finally undid the Roar’s 36 game unbeaten run and they will be surely looking to replicate that tomorrow night. They played a smart pressing game that afternoon where they pressed in specific situations to great effect. The most effective part of their pressing was that it wasn’t just a one off person pressing, everyone pressed at the same time. Brisbane had no Broich that day obviously so it will be interesting to see how they cope with it tomorrow and if it’s as successful.

kyro7 wrote:What time in England.

Laurencio wrote:Someone needs to give us video highlights of the Australian league. We're far too lazy to find them ourselves.

GK01 wrote:

kyro7 wrote:What time in England.

8:45am I believe.

Laurencio wrote:Someone needs to give us video highlights of the Australian league. We're far too lazy to find them ourselves.

kyro7 wrote:

Laurencio wrote:Someone needs to give us video highlights of the Australian league. We're far too lazy to find them ourselves.

YASSSSSSSSSSSSSS

GK01 wrote:

This video is better if you have 15 minutes

Laurencio wrote:

GK01 wrote:

This video is better if you have 15 minutes

I now know why they couldn't hang on to the lead. Mariner idiots didn't have anyone up top pressuring your defence or trying to keep the ball up. Certain recepie for failure.

Level of football positively surprised me though. Didn't expect the Australian league to be that decent

GK01 wrote:

Laurencio wrote:

I now know why they couldn't hang on to the lead. Mariner idiots didn't have anyone up top pressuring your defence or trying to keep the ball up. Certain recepie for failure.

Level of football positively surprised me though. Didn't expect the Australian league to be that decent

It has improved man, that was last seasons Grand Final Half-way through our current season at the moment

Brisbane Roar concede quest for A-league championship double is finished


THE SAVIOUR: Roar talisman Thomas Broich returns from a heel injury. Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE Roar have all but given up hope of securing another A-League premiership-championship double, conceding that even with the return of talisman Thomas Broich, it will be near-impossible to take top spot from Central Coast Mariners.

Both teams are in action today, with the Mariners hosting Newcastle Jets and the Roar taking on Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium.

Heading into their respective clashes, the first-placed Mariners hold an eight-point advantage over nearest rivals Brisbane and have a game in hand on the champions.

Brisbane's best bet of silverware this season is now championship glory by taking out the top-six finals series in April.

That is roughly when Broich, who returns tonight after eight matches out with a heel injury, expects to be back to his best.

"They usually say it takes as long as it's been injured to really get back to where you've been before," said the A-League's best player, who admitted time had just about run out for the Roar to reel in Central Coast.

"It's tough. They're in really good shape and there's not many games to go.

"But there might be a little chance to catch them."

Roar coach Ange Poste-coglou said the Mariners would need to have a monumental stumble to be knocked off their perch before the finals started on March 30.

"If you look at the gap, it's going to be pretty hard," Postecoglou said.

"Really, aside from ourselves and the other teams chasing having to go on a good run, they (the Mariners) have got to have a bad run, and there's no sign of that.

"If they maintain their consistency, they'll stitch up that top spot.

"From our point of view, there's no point in thinking about it unless we get a run of results ourselves. We have to start picking up some points."

And that's starting tonight against a Sydney side down on confidence and form after three straight losses.

Since ending Brisbane's 36-match record unbeaten run with a 2-0 win at Kogarah Oval on December 4, the Sky Blues have picked up just five points from a possible 18.

But Postecoglou, whose side has won just once in their past eight matches, is wary of another Sydney ambush particularly with the recent return of star attacker Nicky Carle.

"They lost some key players during that time they dropped results. With them getting some key players back, they're still going to be tough for us," Postecoglou said.

"I'd be very surprised if they're not right up there come the end of the year."

The competition's leading goalscoring Besart Berisha will be given until tonight's pre-match warm-up to prove he has overcome a calf injury.

Berisha's fitness is likely to dictate the amount of game time returning pair Broich and Henrique enjoy.

"Neither of them are really ready for 90 minutes. Maybe we'll alternate both of them," Postecoglou said.

Jelavic9|RFC wrote:McKay's first team pic:



McKay looking happy and smiling at training yesterday:

GK01 wrote:

Jelavic9|RFC wrote:McKay's first team pic:



McKay looking happy and smiling at training yesterday:

Yeah he said he was going to stay and fight for his place did he not? He also rejected a loan move to Saudi Arabia

Are you trying to wind me up or something Jela?

Steadman wrote:Shit club.

jk

Jelavic9|RFC wrote:

GK01 wrote:

Yeah he said he was going to stay and fight for his place did he not? He also rejected a loan move to Saudi Arabia

Are you trying to wind me up or something Jela?

He did yes.

And no.