It’s derby time! Can rampant Roar start the season with a hat-trick of wins or will local rivals Gold Coast United remain unbeaten?
Brisbane Roar v Gold Coast United
Friday 21st October, 7.30pm
It’s derby time! Can rampant Roar start the season with a hat-trick of wins or will local rivals Gold Coast United remain unbeaten?
Suncorp hosts an intriguing local derby under the lights on Friday night, as two undefeated sides go head-to-head. It’s set to be a huge crowd and a cracking atmosphere, so why would you be anywhere else? Pull on your colours, prepare your singing voice and get ready to earn your bragging rights, as Roar and United do battle.
Brisbane will, as always, go into the game brimming with confidence, after they cruised to a 2-0 win at Sydney Football Stadium last Saturday, thanks to Albanian international Besart Berisha’s first Hyundai A-League goal and Thomas Broich’s match-killing strike.
The victory was their 30th game without defeat and maintained their 100 per cent start to the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season.
This really is a special side, happy to pass their way out of defence and then pick teams off with fast, fluid movement in attack. Substitute Kofi Danning’s assist for the crucial second goal against his former employers shows his continuing growth as a player and the fact that the win marked Roar’s second game this season without conceding will especially please Ange Postecoglou.
Roar’s opponents though, are also showing themselves to be a very decent side, and Sunday’s game will certainly not be a cakewalk for the home team.
Last Saturday, it took a late header from Central Coast Mariners’ Patrick Zwaanswijk to prevent Gold Coast United from leaving the Bluetongue with all three points.
United had taken the lead thanks to a yet another brilliantly taken James Brown goal, after which the visitors soaked up a great deal of pressure, only to concede late on when it looked as thought they had done enough.
Despite keeping two clean sheets thus far, Roar’s defence is far from impenetrable – with a bit more guile, Sydney could have found a way through last week – so Brown and co. will fancy their chances of finding the net and causing an upset on Friday.
Intriguingly, history favours the visitors. Of the clubs’ six meetings, United have won three times and drawn twice, which is impressive indeed. However, a word of caution to the travelling supporters: Brisbane’s solitary win against them came the last time the sides met. A 4-0 thrashing at Suncorp preceded the presentation of Premier’s Plate. What a day that was for the Roar faithful.
Form and reputation can go out of the window when it comes to local derbies. So your support is more vital than ever this Friday night. Get yourself a ticket and get ready to stand United and Roar your side towards three points.
Be part of an awesome atmosphere as these two Hyundai A-League rivals go all out to secure bragging rights. It’s gonna be a thriller!
