If Brisbane can dodge defeat against Perth and make it 36 games without a loss, history is theirs.
Date: Saturday, 26 November 2011
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT, 6.45pm local
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Head-to-head
Played 18: Wins: Brisbane 11, Perth 3, Draws: 4
Previous encounter
Brisbane 1, Perth 1, 7 January 2011
History:
Only one thing is certain when Brisbane meets Perth: goals. And lots of them. This fixture has averaged five goals per game over the last six times they’ve met.
Add that intriguing stat to the Glory’s poor record against the Roar – they’ve beaten them just three times overall, and only once at Suncorp – and Brisbane fans should be coming out in their droves this weekend, confident of victory.
Form:
Past five matches:
Brisbane: WWDDW
Perth: WLLLD
Summary of form:
There is little left to say about Brisbane’s undefeated streak, other than it just keeps marching on. The Roar put two weeks of frustration behind them last week in beating the only team that they hadn’t overcome on their amazing run – Newcastle.
Perth also had a good showing last week, but had to be satisfied with just the draw. Their 2-2 result against Victory was impressive given they were down to 10 men and had a rough penalty call go against them, and it ended their own run of three consecutive losses.
Match Committee:
Brisbane are still without Olyroos trio Matt Jurman, Kofi Danning and Mitch Nichols, while Liam Miller is suspended for the Glory.
Danger men:
Thomas Broich – The Roar’s master playmaker remains at the top of his game. Again in the thick of it in last week’s win over the Jets, Broich can change a game with just one pass.
The German has earned himself a reputation as one of the greatest imports in Hyundai A-League history – and the stage is set for a big player like him to put in a big performance against Perth. With the record on the line and the pressure mounting every week on Brisbane, he must continue his form.
Bas van den Brink – Surely van den Brink must now be considered one of the Hyundai A-League’s premier defenders. The Dutchman was at his brilliant best against Melbourne Victory at the weekend with his defending and willingness to get a forward a constant driving force for the 10-man Glory.
At the end of the day…
This is it. If Brisbane can dodge defeat and make it 36 games without a loss, history is theirs and theirs alone. Last week they equalled Eastern Suburbs’ record set over three seasons from 1935-37 in the NSW Rugby League.
This week, Perth Glory are all that stand between the irresistible Roar and the longest unbeaten streak in Australian sporting history. On the face of it, you’d think they would be no great obstacle, particularly given the manner of the Roar’s 2-1 comeback win in Newcastle.
But beneath Brisbane’s shot for the streak is an intriguing subtext – the rise of the Glory. After three losses in a row the pressure was mounting on Ian Ferguson, and last week it was on the verge of getting even worse against Victory.
Perth were one man and two goals down, and smarting from the injustice of that controversial penalty handed to the home side. But out of thin air they rallied, banged in two goals and left with a share of the points – no less than what they deserved. It was the kind of performance a team can build a season around – it’s just a shame that they come up against Brisbane Roar, this of all weeks.
Squads
Brisbane Roar Squad: 1. Michael Theoklitos (GK), 2. Matt Smith (Capt.), 3. Shane Stefanutto, 5. Ivan Franjic, 6. Erik Paaratlu, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 10. Henrique, 11. Issey Nakajima-Farran, 16. Mohamed Adnan, 18. Luke Brattan, 19. Jack Hingert, 21. James Meyer, 22. Thomas Broich, 30. Matt Acton (GK).
In: Nil
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 9. Kofi Danning (International duty), 4. Matt Jurman (International duty), 17. Mitch Nichols (International duty), 20 Andrew Redmayne (abdominal injury – 3 weeks)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 2.Josh MITCHELL, 3.Bas van den BRINK, 4.Billy MEHMET, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 14.Steven McGARRY, 15.Tommy AMPHLETT, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 18. Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 19.Josh RISDON, 25. Trent McCLENAHAN, 27.ANDREZINHO, 30. Lewis ITALIANO (gk)
*one to be omitted*
In: 15.Tommy AMPHLETT, 18.Jesse MAKAROUNAS, 25.Trent McCLENAHAN (all promoted)
Out: 10.Liam MILLER (suspended – 1 week), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI (wife giving birth)
Unavailable: 5.Steve PANTELIDIS (Achilles), 10.Liam MILLER (suspended – 1 week), 11.Victor SIKORA (hip – long term injury list), 12.Scott NEVILLE (knee), 13.Travis DODD (hamstring- 3 weeks),16.Evan BERGER (hamstring – 6-weeks), 20.Neil YOUNG (abdominal), 21.Mile STERJOVSKI (wife giving birth)
