Suncorp Stadium’s first midweek game of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season
Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners
Wednesday 20th October 7:00pm
Suncorp Stadium-s first midweek game of the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season is a huge midweek clash at the top end of the ladder. Secure your ticket today!
What a turnaround Brisbane supporters have seen this season. This time last year, two home games in a week would have been quite a chore for even the most loyal of Roar fans, as the team scrapped for points in the bottom half of the table.
Now though, the games can-t come quickly enough for Brisbane-s football lovers. With Ange Postecoglou-s side playing some delicious football in the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season, two home games in a week can be seen as a treat, and, as fans make their way through the turnstiles, they now do so with anticipation at the entertainment they are about to be offered rather than merely out of a sense of duty.
Roar-s progress can be measured by looking at last season-s results. When Mariners came to town for the corresponding fixture this time last year, they returned to the Central Coast having cruised to a supremely comfortable 3-0 win.
The result left Brisbane in seventh place and came in the middle of a five-match losing streak which saw them pick up just one point throughout the whole of October. It-s safe to say that Suncorp Stadium is a much more vibrant and optimistic place one year on, with Roar positioned at the top end of the ladder.
Wednesday-s game is potentially as tough as they have faced so far though. Central Coast Mariners are unbeaten in five games and have only lost once in the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season. As they start a five-match stretch away from Bluetongue Stadium, they do so full of confidence from what they have achieved in their campaign so far.
In fact, their season mirrors Brisbane-s in that they-ve built the foundations on a solid defence and have recently found their scoring touch. Last week-s win over North Queensland Fury was the first time this season that they have found the net three times in a game.
However, Roar fans will take encouragement from the fact that the usually tight Mariners defence conceded twice against Fury, and only grabbed a last-gasp win after the visitors had been reduced to ten men.
If Brisbane are to unlock the Mariners back-line, they-ll be looking for another influential performance from the likes of Matt McKay. The midfielder-s fine season continued with a substitute appearance for the Qantas Socceroos against Paraguay last weekend and he-ll be keen to further cement his place in Holger Osieck-s plans by continuing his outstanding Hyundai A-League form.
It-s a big clash at the top end of the ladder under the lights on Wednesday night! And it-s a tough one to call. Not only are the two sides pretty much exactly matching each other in terms of results this Hyundai A-League season, but history can-t separate them either.
Of the nine meetings in Brisbane, each side has won three, with the other fixtures ending level.
Roar fans, get down to this midweek fixture and do your part to create an intimidating atmosphere. Your support has been pivotal in your team-s excellent start to the season. Now it-s time to take it up and notch. Sing like you-ve never sung before!
