Glory head to the Queensland capital in ominous form. Brisbane were buoyed by a first win of the campaign last week. It all points to a titanic battle at Suncorp on Sunday between two clubs expected to make the six this season.
MATCH DETAILS
Sunday, 30 October 2016
Brisbane Roar FC v Perth Glory
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 4:00PM (Local) (5:00PM (AEDT))
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
Assistant Referee 1: Nathan MacDonald
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Lindsay
Fourth Official: Alex King
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Fox Sports 505 from 4.30pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport Pop-Up 2 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 612 ABC Brisbane, ABC Local Radio Qld, 720 ABC Perth, ABC Local Radio WA, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live, EON Sports Radio (eonsportsradio.com)
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #BRIvPER
To purchase tickets visit www.aleague.com.au
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Michael THEO (gk), 3.Luke DEVERE, 4.Daniel BOWLES, 5.Corey BROWN, 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Jamie MACLAREN, 10.Brett HOLMAN, 11.Tommy OAR, 13.Jade NORTH, 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS, 17. Matt McKAY (c), 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 26.Nicholas D’AGOSTINO, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 33.Joey KATEBIAN
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 16.Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS (promoted), 26. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Perth Glory Squad: 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Marc WARREN, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Rhys WILLIAMS, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 8.Rostyn GRIFFITHS (c), 9.Andy KEOGH, 10.Nebojsa MARINKOVIC, 13.Nicholas FEELY (gk), 14.Chris HAROLD, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Joe MILLS, 17.Diego CASTRO, 19.Josh RISDON, 22.Adam TAGGART, 24.Milan SMILJANIC, 33.Liam REDDY (gk)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 4.Shane LOWRY (promoted) 5.Rhys WILLIAMS (promoted), 22.Adam TAGGART (promoted)
Outs: 11.Richard GARCIA (not selected)
Unavailable: nil
BLUFFER’S GUIDE
It may be less than a month into the new season but indications are Glory are the real deal.
Last week’s win at City showed all the qualities of a side equipped to handle the big occasion.
Despite having to absorb plenty of pressure, they defended stoutly, played for each other and then made the most of their chances when they presented themselves.
It has Perth fans dreaming of breaking their Hyundai A-League title drought – and in their 20th anniversary season no less.
Brisbane haven’t been at their flowing best so far but picked up their first win against the Mariners last weekend.
That should instill some confidence in the squad following the heavy defeat they copped against Newcastle in Round 2.
History is also on Roar’s side, having lost just once against Glory in their last 10 matches in Brisbane.
In team news, Glory has some huge names back in an extended squad with Rhys Williams, Adam Taggart and Shane Lowry all a chance to be involved.
OPTA DATA
Hyundai A-League Rd 4 Opta Stats preview
ROUTE TO GOAL
Roar has only managed two goals in three matches – and they have been scored by defender Luke DeVere and midfielder Thomas Kristensen.
But any side with the likes of Maclaren, Broich, Holman and Oar – fresh from selection in the Caltex Socceroos squad this week – won’t stay down too long.
It will be interesting to see how they deal with Glory’s tight marking and compact style in the middle of the park. Roar’s passing game will need to be quick and crisp to play through the visitors defence.
In contrast, Glory’s attack is purring right now.
Kenny Lowe’s side has eight goals from their opening three games and have striker Andy Keogh coming off a hat-trick last weekend.
It’s the variety in their forward line which is most impressive. Castro’s class, Harold’s speed, Marinkovic’s creativity and set-piece delivery and Keogh’s finishing quality.
And that’s without mentioning Caltex Socceroo Taggart, who scored a brace against the Mariners in the opening round.
If they can all click again on Sunday, Glory should be among the goals again.
WHO’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK?
Jamie Maclaren. Last season’s second leading scorer – with 20 goals to his name – has yet to hit the back of the net in three games in 2016/17. He’s never gone four games without scoring in Roar colours so will he break the drought at Suncorp?
