Tonight’s match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar could go a long way to deciding this season’s Hyundai A-League premiership.
Tonight’s match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar could go a long way to deciding this season’s Hyundai A-League premiership.
A win to Brisbane would see Mike Mulvey’s men move 10 points clear of Tony Popovic’s reigning premiers and the Roar would still have a game in hand. The Wanderers would be hard pressed to reel in Brisbane over their eight remaining games and defend the Premiers’ Plate.
It is tempting to dub this match a ‘winner-takes-all’ encounter – at least for Brisbane – while it is equally tempting to claim the contest will boil down to a ‘head-to-head’ battle between the two playmakers.
The Wanderers’ Shinji Ono and Thomas Broich of Brisbane have the ability to produce that moment of magic that can decide big games. Think Ono’s delightful chip in last season’s semi-final versus the Roar or Broich’s pin-point cross to Besart Berisha for the Albanian’s first goal in the 2012 Grand Final.
But how do these playmakers tick? And what do Popovic and Mulvey need to do to stop the opposing midfield schemer? Whichever team that provides the best platform for their respective attacking midfielder is likely to emerge victorious at Pirtek Stadium.
Style of Play
Ono: The 34-year-old Japanese plays a more classic ‘number 10’ role than Broich and is generally much less active throughout 90 minutes. Broich has had 1548 touches this season and attempted 1006 passes, with Ono’s corresponding numbers (663 and 430) underlying the veteran’s propensity to sit in the hole and wait for the ideal situation to make a difference.
Ono almost exclusively relies on the ‘match-winning move’ – one pass, shot or free-kick – to make an impact, while the rest of the general lead-up play is left to the likes of Mark Bridge, Aaron Mooy and Mateo Poljak. In defence, Ono almost plays as a second striker, waiting for the opportunity to wreak havoc during a counter-attack.
Broich: Since the former Germany youth international arrived at Suncorp Stadium, he has rarely been utilised in the classic ‘number 10’ position. Broich regularly lines up on the left wing but tucks in, allowing the Roar’s left back to overlap. The 33-year-old also loves to drift in an attempt to lose his marker as he moves into midfield.
Broich’s movement is key to Brisbane’s possession-based game as it often opens gaps in the opposing back four as the right back follows the Roar’s attacking midfielder. Plenty of the Roar’s attacks come from Broich dropping deep and then one of Brisbane’s central midfielders sprinting into the hole behind to receive a pass from the Bavarian-born playmaker.
How to stop them:
Ono: The man known as ‘Tensai’ (‘Genius’ in Japanese) seems to thrive in the chaos of the counter-attack, finding space and providing the killer pass to Western Sydney’s forwards and wingers. He struggles more often when he a player is assigned to mark him for the whole game. But the marker must be disciplined and focused, as Ono will happily drift out wide or drop deep alongside the Wanderers’ holding players to find space.
Broich: Popovic will undoubtedly have highlighted Brisbane’s left-hand side interchange and it could be that the best option will be for Western Sydney’s right back to hold his position, rather than follow Broich into midfield. A solid defensive structure – the Wanderers’ specialty – can make Broich frustrated and he can stray too much from his left wing position. If he starts shooting from anywhere, the Wanderers will be on top of him mentally.
Key Stats:
– Ono scores on average one goal every 4.5 games (9 goals in 42 games)
– Broich scores on average one goal every seven games (15 goals in 105 games)
– Ono has scored both times the Wanderers have hosted Brisbane at Pirtek Stadium
– Broich has created more chances this season than any other A-League player (58) and leads the competition for assists (6) alongside Carlos Hernandez
– Ono has three assists and has created 32 chances this season
– Broich has won 72 fouls this season
– Ono has been subbed off 10 times this season, more than any other Wanderers player
– Broich has completed the most passes this season in the A-League (781)
Performance of the season:
Ono: In the first Sydney derby of the season, Ono almost single-handedly set up the Wanderers’ 2-0 victory over Sydney FC in the opening half. The Japanese picked out Iacopo La Rocca at the back post with a free-kick to give Western Sydney the lead over the Sky Blues in the 11th minute. Just 15 minutes later, Ono flicked the ball over Sydney’s defence, spun past three opponents and slotted his shot in the bottom corner of the net.
Broich: On Boxing Day, Broich was critical to the Roar’s 5-2 victory away to Sydney FC. The Brisbane-based maestro made it 1-1 in the first half with a smart finish and then teed up Dimitri Petratos for 3-1 after a nice triangle of passes, which also involved Matt McKay. In the second half, Broich released Ivan Franjic down the right for the Roar’s fifth goal.
The biggest match of the Hyundai A-League season will be simulcast on all three SBS channels – SBS ONE, SBS 2 and SBS HD as well as FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports HD this Friday.
Chat with representatives from your local club and meet Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League stars at Play Football Day this Saturday & Sunday at Westfield centres.
Westfield Kotara
Saturday 8 February, 11am-2pm
Westfield Woden
Saturday 8 February, 11am-2pm
Westfield Penrith
Sunday 9 February, 11am-2pm
Westfield Chatswood
Sunday 9 February, 11am-2pm
Westfield Tuggerah
Sunday 9 February, 11am-2pm
