A revitalised Roar come to Wellington looking for a third straight win to start the season. Can Phoenix snare a first home victory of the new campaign off the back of last week’s win in Perth?
MATCH DETAILS
Saturday, 24 October 2015
Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-Off: 7:15 PM (Local) (5:15 PM (AEDT))
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistant Referee 1: Mark Rule
Assistant Referee 2: Anton Shchetinin
Fourth Official: Alex King
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 5.00pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 612 ABC Brisbane & ABC Local Radio Qld, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live. Live on Radio Sport Extra (NZ).
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #WELvBRI
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au/tickets
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Glen MOSS (GK), 2.Manny MUSCAT, 3.Justin GULLEY, 4.Roly BONEVACIA, 5.Troy DANASKOS, 6.Dylan FOX, 7.Jeffrey SARPONG, 8.Alex RODRIGUEZ, 10.Michael MCGLINCHEY, 11.Kwabena APPIAH, 12.Blake Powell, 13.Albert RIERA, 16.Louis FENTON, 17.Vince LIA, 18.Ben SIGMUND, 19.Tom DOYLE, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (GK), 21, Roy KRISHNA.
***Two to be omitted***
Ins: 5.Troy DANASKOS (promoted), 6.Dylan FOX (promoted).
Outs: Nil.
Unavailable: 22.Andrew DURANTE (calf injury – 1 to 3 weeks).
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 5.Corey BROWN, 6.Jerome POLENZ, 7.CORONA, 8.Steven LUSTICA, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 13.Jade NORTH, 14.Daniel BOWLES, 16.Devante CLUT, 17.Matt McKAY (c), 19.Jack HINGERT, 20.Shannon BRADY, 21.Jamie YOUNG (GK), 22.Thomas BROICH, 23.Dimitri PETRATOS, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 32.George LAMBADARIDIS, 36.Andre JANNISE (GK)
***one to be omitted***
Ins: 20.Shannon BRADY (promoted), 36.Andre JANNISE (GK) (promoted).
Outs: 1.Michael THEO (GK) (quad strain, 1 week).
Unavailable: 3.Shane STEFANUTTO (calf, 3 weeks ), 10.HENRIQUE (knee, 2 months ), 11.Jean Carlos SOLORZANO (foot, 1 weeks), 15.James DONACHIE (quad, 2 weeks), 33.Luke DE VERE (quad, 2 months).
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
A fascinating clash looms between two sides who love to attack, both with plenty of weaponry at their disposal.
Brisbane are the A-League’s top scorers and the only team with two wins to start the season. They boast familiar faces Thomas Broich and Matty McKay, joined by vastly experienced Spanish midfielder Corona, who already looks a brilliant addition to the competition.
Young guns Brandon Borrello and Jamie MacLaren have quickly forged an effective striking partnership.
The Phoenix overcame the loss of their talismanic skipper Andrew Durante to post a confidence-boosting win in the “Distance Derby” on Sunday.
Stand-in captain Ben Sigmund was lion-hearted in defence and with Dutch midfielder Roly Bonevacia continuing to impress, the Phoenix now just need to add some front-third polish and convert more of the numerous chances they’re creating.
OPTA DATA
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After failing to win seven consecutive A-League encounters against the Roar, Wellington have won two of the last three, including a 3-0 home win last season.
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Brisbane have beaten the Phoenix in six of their last eight A-League meetings, winning by a one goal margin in five of those victories.
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Roar have a made a league high 49 tackles in the first two games of the season. By contrast, Wellington has made a league low 23 tackles.
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The Roar have failed to score in just two of their 11 previous away meetings with Wellington.
ROUTE TO GOAL
The Phoenix have been anything but clinical in the first fortnight of the season, missing numerous opportunities in both matches.
Roy Krishna exorcised the ghosts of his missed penalty against the Jets by drilling home his side’s first goal against Glory, but it was left to a most unlikely scorer – Vince Lia – to earn Wellington maximum points in the dying moments. New man Jeffrey Sarpong is yet to fire.
Brandon Borrello grabbed the headlines for Brisbane in their 2-1 win over the Mariners last weekend, netting both goals with assured finishes, but it was Jamie MacLaren who again caught the eye.
After a brace of his own in the opening game, the former Glory front-man was a constant threat in the attacking third and looks set to be a roaring success at Suncorp.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Vince Lia’s goal against Perth was his first for 1729 days. Enough said.
