Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi wants his players to ensure Suncorp Stadium remains a graveyard for travelling teams this season.
The Roar host Melbourne City in Round 7 of the Hyundai A-League on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium (7pm kick off). For tickets, click here .
Aloisi’s side is chasing a fourth consecutive win at home.
“We just have to make sure we are at the top of our game to continue that run at home we’ve had because we want to make this one of the toughest places to visit,” he said.
“So far we’re getting there but we know there’s a lot of improvement to do.
“The most important thing is that we try to improve every game. The players know that, (they) are trying to improve every training session.
“They look sharp again this week. It’s a good spirit and we want to make sure we take that into the game.”
Aloisi today named an 18-player preliminary squad with two to be omitted tomorrow. It includes captain Matt McKay and striker Jamie Maclaren, who were on international duty last weekend.
The Roar Head Coach says having so many selection options is a headache he’s happy to have.
“Whoever I start I am sure they will do the job. I’ve got no worries about that,” he said.
“There’s opportunities (for players) every week, every game. We’ve got a strong squad and everyone is confident they will do well.”
Maclaren watched the game online while in Qatar with the Olyroos and praised his Roar team mates for using the squad’s depth to notch a 1-0 victory over Perth Glory last Sunday.
He said seeing Henrique return from injury to net the winner was an inspiration for every player in the squad ( Photo sequence of the goal, above and below, by ANDREW SHAW – Visible Focus Photography ).
“He’s an exceptional player, the fans love him. It’s great because the fans come to watch players like him and it gives us confidence going forward,” Maclaren said.
Melbourne City today named an 18-player squad that includes Ivan Franjic, who is on the comeback after a long injury absence.
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 3.Shane STEFANUTTO, 6.Jerome POLENZ, 7.CORONA, 8.Steven LUSTICA, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.HENRIQUE, 13.Jade NORTH, 14.Daniel BOWLES, 15.James DONACHIE, 16.Devante CLUT, 17.Matt McKAY, 18.Javier HERVAS, 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 23.Dimitri PETRATOS, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 36.Andre JANNESE (gk) **two to be omitted**
Ins: 6.Jerome POLENZ (promoted), 9.Jamie MACLAREN (return from international duty), 17.Matt McKAY (return from international duty) Outs: 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO (omitted)
Unavailable: 1.Michael THEO (gk) (quad strain, 2 week), 12.Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (hamstring strain, 2 weeks), 33.Luke DE VERE (quad, 4 weeks).
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Thomas SORENSEN (GK), 4.Connor CHAPMAN, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Erik PAARTALU, 7.Corey GAMEIRO, 8.Aaron MOOY, 9.Harry NOVILLO, 15.David WILLIAMS, 16.Jason TRIFIRO, 18.Paulo RETRE, 19.Ben GARUCCIO, 20.Tando VELAPHI (GK), 21.Stefan MAUK, 22.Jack CLISBY, 23.Bruno FORNAROLI, 25.Jacob MELLING, 30.Hernan ESPINDOLA, 34.Stefan ZINNI
Ins: 5.Ivan FRANJIC (returns from injury), 8.Aaron MOOY (returns from International duty), 15.David WILLIAMS (returns from injury) Outs: 3.Aaron HUGHES (calf – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: 10.Robert KOREN (calf – 3 weeks), 14.James BROWN (foot – indefinite), 24.Patrick KISNORBO (calf 2 weeks), 26.Marc MARINO (knee – 2 months)
Referee: Chris Beath Assistant Referee 1 : Nathan MacDonald; Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Lindsay; Fourth Official: Alex King
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 6.30pm (QLD time), SBS TWO from 6:30pm (QLD time) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 612 ABC Brisbane, 774 ABC Melbourne, ABC Local Radio Qld, ABC Local Radio Vic, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live. Crocmedia A-League Live (www.facebook.com/A-leagueLIVERadio)
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