Brisbane Roar FC stars and a former favourite are set for some impressive milestones as the crucial run-in to the end of the Hyundai A-League ramps up this week, starting with a massive midweek clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Roar host Victory on Wednesday night. A big clash in the context of places in the Finals Series.
What’s more, the clash will hold extra significance for two championship stars in Thomas Broich and Jade North.
Broich will become the club’s third most-capped player, with the Victory match to be his 126th in Roar Orange, now only trailing skipper Matt McKay (171) and ex-midfielder Massimo Murdocca (162).
North is battling a groin injury but if he is passed fit will turn out in his 50th game for the club.
The clash also marks the first time former Roar hero Besart Berisha returns to Suncorp since leaving the club for Melbourne Victory after last season’s title success.
While that is sure to add some spice and motivation for the Albanian, the match will also be Berisha’s 100th in the competition.
Elsewhere, Western Sydney Wanderers FC attacker Mark Bridge will join a select group of players when he turns out against Adelaide United on Saturday afternoon.
Central Coast Mariners striker Matt Simon is set to play his 150th A-League match if he gets on the pitch in Wellington against Phoenix.
Mariners skipper John Hutchinson will go equal ninth on the list of all-time appearances in Australian National League football, turning out for his 393rd senior match to draw level with Theo Selemidis.
Still on the Mariners and ‘keeper Liam Reddy will make his 50th appearance for the club against Wellington, while last week’s clean sheet against the Wanderers was the 53rd in his Hyundai A-League career.
It moves him fourth on the list of most clean-sheets in the competition, 10 behind joint leaders Danny Vukovic (Perth Glory) and Michael Theo (Roar).
John van ’t Schip is set to become the 10th most experienced coach in the A-League, with City’s clash against Perth on Sunday to be his 99th game in charge of the club.
Sydney FC is on a six-game winning streak away from home and could equal the second-longest winning streak on the road in the A-League.
A win over Newcastle Jets on Friday night would see them draw level with the Mariners (2011-’12) and Wanderers 2012-’13) for most consecutive wins away from home, with Victory on top with eight way back in 2006.
So it’s set to be another huge round with plenty to play for, for a number of sides. Enjoy your football as the teams and players celebrate their milestones this weekend in the Hyundai A-League!
