Salute your double-winning heroes as they launch a defence of their crown in a repeat of last season’s unbelievable Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium…
Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 8th October, 7:45pm
Salute your double-winning heroes as they launch a defence of their crown in a repeat of last season’s unbelievable Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium…
This Saturday night, relive the drama and excitement of one of the most dramatic football matches ever played on Australian soil.
It’s Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners – the rematch! Mariners will be desperate to seek revenge for that heartbreaking Grand Final defeat, so, Orange Army, you’ll need to be in full voice if you want your side to start the defence of their crown with three points. Secure a ticket to the Suncorp Stadium today and get ready to Roar!
Not only do your players need your support, but they deserve it too. Last season they ripped the Hyundai A-League apart with their aesthetically-pleasing brand of high-paced, possession football. Suffering just one defeat and breaking record after record, Ange Postecoglou’s men proved themselves to be one of the all-time great Australia sides.
Now the challenge is to sustain last season’s form and go on to show that it wasn’t simply a one-off, and that it is going to take quite something for one of their rivals to stop them doing it all over again.
A huge factor in Brisbane’s continuing success will be the support the players receive from the stands. So start as you mean to go on by turning Suncorp into a sea of orange and maroon on Saturday night.
There won’t be many tougher fixtures for Roar this season than their opener. Just like the home side, Central Coast Mariners belied all expectations in the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season.
Despite opening their campaign with a typically efficient away win against newcomers Melbourne Heart, no-one would have believed that they would go on to take the league by storm in the way they did.
With a combination of old heads and exciting new talent, the Mariners played fast-paced, thrilling football to amass a points tally that, in other seasons, would have seen them top the table.
Brisbane’s dominance though prevented a title win and then, to rub salt into the wounds, Roar also cruelly snatched the Grand Final away from them when they were just seconds from glory. Make no mistake, there are scores to be settled and ghosts to be laid to rest at Suncorp on Saturday.
One thing seems to be certain. There will be goals. Matches between these fine footballing sides were crackers last season. Their six meetings in the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season and finals series produced an amazing 24 goals.
Roar may have lost a few big names since last season, but they still have the likes of Thomas Broich and also welcome Kofi Danning to their ranks from Sydney to give them yet more attacking pace in what is already a terrifyingly fluid unit.
Meanwhile, Mariners’ Mustafi Amini is someone to once again look out for this season. Despite signing for Borussia Dortmund, the playmaking midfielder has returned on a season-long loan. And shoring things up in front of the defence will be the ever-consistent Stuart Musialik, who has made the short trip from Sydney to wear the navy and yellow this season.
Saturday offers the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation for last season’s all-conquering double winners and their gallant Grand Finals opponents.
If the match offers half of the drama, excitement and tension of their last encounter, we’re in for a treat. This one is not to be missed, so get along to Suncorp and get ready to for non-stop drama!
