Brisbane Roar midfielder Tameka Butt has warned fierce rivals Sydney FC to prepare for a physical affair in Sunday’s Westfield W-League semi-final.
Brisbane Roar midfielder Tameka Butt has warned fierce rivals Sydney FC to prepare for a physical affair in Sunday’s Westfield W-League semi-final.
Only an own goal from Sky Blues midfielder Teresa Polias could separate the two sides in their Week 12 fixture on Saturday, as the Roar secured home-field advantage with a 1-0 victory.
However, Butt knows the last-start win will count for nothing this Sunday, with both teams desperate to advance to the grand-final against the winner of Saturday’s first semi-final between Canberra United and Melbourne Victory.
“This game now was always going to be the important one and we knew that going in, so we just wanted to get a result to get a home semi-final and that was the only thing playing on our mind,” Butt said.
“Our biggest rivalry is always Sydney-Brisbane no matter what, that’s what makes it such a tough match and that’s the reason why it’s going to be so physical as well.
“Everyone goes in hard for 50-50 balls so we’re definitely going to come off with a few bruises.
“This week we’ll be looking to play better football and it’s probably going to be a more physical game so it’ll be tough.”
Asked what areas the Roar must improve in order to repeat the dose against Sydney FC on Sunday, Butt replied: “We definitely need to work on our finishing in the final third. We had a few chances and so did Sydney but neither of us were able to put them away, so scoring goals is what we’ll be working on.
“Sydney’s a dangerous team all over the park but we’ve got players to match that as well, so it’ll be a one-on-one battle with each player in each position to see who comes out on top.
“The teams are pretty close but our team especially, we’ve been in the finals every season so we have a certain drive and we never give up.”
But Sky Blues striker Kyah Simon says her side took confidence out of Saturday’s performance against the defending champions and are quietly confident they can turn things around this weekend.
“Playing Brisbane the weekend just gone and just getting pipped at the post by an own goal is disappointing but that gives us the drive and determination to get ahead of them this weekend and hopefully see us in the grand final,” Simon said.
“I don’t think it’s a matter of doing anything differently, it’s just about correcting our wrongs and building from the performance that we just had.”
“We played fairly well as a team and we played some good football in patches.”
“It’s disappointing being a striker and knowing that I missed a few crucial chances but I’m just hoping and having my fingers crossed that this weekend can be the weekend for us and hopefully I can get a few goals in the back of the net.”
