Roar focused on themselves ahead of Sydney FC challenge

Forget the Hyundai A-League ladder.

That’s the message from experienced playmaker Brett Holman as Brisbane Roar attempt a late-season rally to make the Hyundai A-League Finals Series.

Roar head into the final five matches of the season four-points adrift of sixth-placed Adelaide United and five behind Western Sydney in fifth, although the Wanderers have played one game more.

With only two current top six teams to play over the final five matches, Holman believes destiny is in Roar’s hands and has stressed they can’t rely on other results to go their way to sneak into the finals.

“We have to win every game and then look what happens in the table after that,” Holman declared.

“If we win all five, we should finish in the top six, so we’re not worried about anyone else.”

The first obstacle for John Aloisi’s side is a clash with champions Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

While the Sky Blues remain eight points clear at the top of the ladder, Roar are in excellent form themselves having won four of their last six matches in the Hyundai A-League.

“I think they [Sydney FC] have been exposed a little bit in recent weeks,” former Caltex Socceroos star Holman said.

“We’re coming off a great period and we have it all to play for now so we’ll go down there and give it everything.

“There are little things that we will pick out in their game – we’ve analysed them and identified some weaknesses. We’ll try to pinpoint those and use them to our advantage on Saturday night.

“We have to go down and put in a good performance first and foremost – if we don’t do that then it won’t make a difference.”

Sydney FC have won both previous clashes against Roar this season, including a 3-1 win at Allianz in Round 8 back in November.