Canberra United coach Robbie Hooker is confident his side can make an impact in the W-League finals, whether they get a home semi-final or not.
United will be playing the Newcastle Jets in the semi-finals, but whether that is at home or away will be decided when the Jets play the Perth Glory on Sunday.
Canberra is an outside chance to gain a home semi, if the Glory can beat the Jets by two goals or more.
Hooker certainly was not downplaying his team’s chances, regardless of the result.
He rates his team’s away form, and also believes, despite losing 2-1 in their previous outing with the Jets in round one, he is in charge of the better team.
“Our away form’s pretty good,” Hooker said.
“We played Newcastle the first game of the year and we should’ve batted them.”
“Conservatively, it should’ve been 6-2 and we’re a lot better team than we were that day.”
“I don’t know how much they’ve improved, obviously they must have as they’re in the finals … but they’re a team I think we can beat.”
After his team’s draw with minor premiers Queensland, following on from Canberra’s win against the Roar in round two, Hooker was also confident should they meet again in the grand final.
“I always had the belief at the start of the year that the players we had on paper could play well and could deliver,” Hooker said.
“It’s really pleasing to make the semi-finals, as we did last week, and it’s really pleasing to again take points off the team that have only dropped five points all year twice.”
“We’ve just got one more hurdle to get over again before we make the grand final, which, on form, I think should see us play Queensland again.”
“It could be a tough call but, if you look at that team I don’t know how they’ve won eight out of ten games.”
“I think teams have looked at the names on paper and they’ve been intimidated.”
“It’s good to have that wood on them, if you do go into the grand final you know you’ve beaten this team,” Hooker said.
