John Aloisi is confident Brisbane Roar has the ability to beat anyone in the Hyundai A-League Finals Series after keeping their top six hopes alive with a huge win over Melbourne Victory on Friday night.
Roar were huge underdogs at AAMI Park but deservedly came away 2-1 winners thanks to first-half goals from Massimo Maccarone and Brett Holman.
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The result has moved Roar back into the top six on goal difference ahead of Western Sydney, although the Wanderers do have two games in hand.
“We believe we can make finals, that’s our aim,” Aloisi told Fox Sports after the match.
“We’re going to work hard towards that to make sure we’re there at the end of the season.
“There’s still a long way to go, we still have to take it game-by-game but we know if we do get there we can cause anyone trouble.”
A major reason behind Aloisi’s confidence is the form of some of his experienced stars, especially goal-scorers Holman and Maccarone.
The veteran pair caused Victory’s defence problems all night and they seem to be hitting peak form at just the right time for Roar.
“Brett [Holman] has shown since he has been back from his injury that we have really missed him,” Aloisi said.
“It’s just his quality in the final third, he can bring us goals and he can set up goals as well.
“Massimo was really disappointed after the last game against [Melbourne] City where he didn’t score the penalty and had a few chances he missed and he wanted to make amends for it and he did that.”
Holman’s form has even seen his name mentioned in some despatches as a possible option for the Caltex Socceroos for this year’s FIFA World Cup.
While the 2014 World Cup star has retired from international football, Aloisi believes Holman wouldn’t let anyone down should he be considered for the squad to go to Russia.
“I know the national team coach [Bert van Marwijk] knows him well because Brett played in Holland. When Brett first signed for Feyenoord he was there,” the Roar boss said.
“He definitely has the quality. I don’t know what the coach is looking for but he’s [Holman] someone who can make a difference in any side and especially our national team.”
