Queensland coach Frank Farina has set his side a target of five points from the remaining four matches to reach the Hyundai A-League finals.
The Roar are currently in fourth place on 26 points, but history suggests 30 points is enough to secure a place in the finals.
But Farina is bracing himself for a bruising run into the finals, starting with this weekend’s match against the third-placed Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.
And Queensland has been dealt a massive blow with the news that goalkeeper Liam Reddy has been ruled out with a hamstring strain.
“The Central Coast is an important one again and we back up against Adelaide three days after,” he said.
“It’s always difficult to go down there but we’ve done reasonably well there so hopefully that can continue.”
Queensland boasts an excellent record at Bluetongue Stadium with two wins and three draws since the league’s inception.
However, Farina knows it’s going to be a tough ask to keep up the impressive record.
“We hadn’t lost away from home until last week so they’re just stats,” he said.
“It comes down to us, how we play ourselves and how we turn up for the game.”
“I’ve been very happy with the attitude of the players this season and as long as we continue that, there’s no reason why we can’t go down and get the points.”
“The pass mark is really at the end of the season and that is to reach the four.”
“We haven’t locked that away yet so that’s really what we’re looking at. From the last four games we need at least five points.”
The Mariners will be bolstered by the return of suspended strikers Dylan Macallister and Matt Simon but Farina will be hoping to capitalise on the hole in midfield left by Turkey-bound playmaker Mile Jedinak.
“He has been their best player this year so he’ll be a big loss for them. They’re going to be battling for the points as we are.”
