This match will be a return to the scene of one of the Hyundai A-League’s biggest ever maulings.
Date: Sunday 11 March, 2012
Kick-off: 5.00pm AEDT, 4.00pm local
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Head-to-head
Played: 21 Wins: Brisbane 6, Adelaide 8, Draws: 7
Previous encounter
Adelaide 1, Brisbane 1, 7 January 2012
History:
This match will be a return to the scene of one of the Hyundai A-League’s biggest ever maulings. Remember back in October last year, when Adelaide’s Dario Vidosic scored the opener against the Roar at Suncorp Stadium?
It cast doubt over Brisbane’s aura of invincibility for a few moments. Then those doubts were washed away as Besart Berisha and his teammates went absolutely ballistic, piling on seven goals in a relentless yet effortless attacking performance.
The two sides met again later in the season, this time at Hindmarsh Stadum a few days after the new year, and the Roar dominated again – but a controversial late penalty to Adelaide and some ridiculously heavy rain ensured the spoils would be split.
Form:
Past five matches:
Brisbane: WWWDL
Adelaide: WLLLW
Summary of form:
Both these teams kicked off their AFC Champions League campaigns during the week with differing results. The Roar were simply outclassed by the visiting FC Toyko, going down 2-0, but they’ll learn a lot from their first continental match.
It was Brisbane’s first loss since the end of January, but it’s one Ange Postecoglou will be happy to cop square on the chin and improve on. Back home, and Brisbane’s pursuit of a second consecutive premiership remains on track.
Meanwhile the Reds returned to their giant-killing ways in Asia, traveling to freezing Uzbekistan and coming home with a brave 2-1 victory over FC Bunyodkor.
That halted their run of three consecutive losses, but you can’t help the feeling that Adelaide are just better suited to soaking up pressure and pouncing on the counter-attack in Asia than being forced to play on the front foot in their own domestic league.
This season has been one to forget for United, and their good start to the ACL should see them switch focus from the Hyundai A-League to Champions League.
Match Committee:
There’s no doubt these two teams will be a little weary going into this one, given their mid-week engagements. However, both have reinforcements they can call upon.
Brisbane forward Issey Nakajima-Farran is not registered for the AFC Champions League, and could be brought into the side for some fresh legs. Adelaide utility Evgieny Levchenko was his team’s surplus foreign player, while fullback Cassio was left behind for the trip to Uzbekistan. However, Fabian Barbiero’s four-match suspension starts this weekend.
Danger men:
Mohamed Adnan – One of the best defenders in the Hyundai A-League, the usually-composed Bahrain international fluffed his lines to an extent against Melbourne Heart. He had the chance to win the match with a last-gasp penalty but was thwarted by Clint Bolton.
He’s usually shown a propensity for the dead-ball situation, but Adnan uncharacteristically misfired on this occasion – which, for a player of his calibre, will no doubt become motivation going forward.
Osama Malik – At a time when rival clubs are seeing their prized midfield screeners poached by Chinese clubs (see Mariners, Glory), the Reds have held onto a young player who has the potential to become one of the best anchors in the league.
Malik is a skillful, athletic, intelligent player in the centre of midfield and his positive distribution has kicked off plenty of United attacks this season.
At the end of the day…
Don’t let the contrasting results of Adelaide and Brisbane in the AFC Champions League fool you. Although United registered a win and the Roar fell at home, there has been no change in the pecking order when it comes to domestic football.
The Reds might be able to grind out results in Asia, but when it comes to the A-League they’ve rarely shown the same defensive resistance. In attack, they’ve often been blunt and lacking in invention. That can’t be said for a Brisbane side who, up until their loss to FC Tokyo, were running white hot.
There is little doubt their ACL disappointment will be a reality check for the men of orange. As a result, Adelaide should be worried. The Roar are certain to come out a side hungry to improve on Sunday, and that spells danger for John Kosmina’s side.
