Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou has promised his side will not be curbing their attacking instincts when they clash with the Central Coast Mariners in the away leg of their major semi-final on Saturday.
The Roar, who were the leading goal-scorers of the 2010-11 regular season, with 58 from 30 games, have dispelled any suggestion they would temper the full-throttle style that took them to the Premiership.
Although a draw at Bluetongue Stadium would put the Roar in the box seat to claim the first spot in the Grand Final ahead of playing the return clash at Suncorp Stadium, where they haven’t lost since January 2010, Postecoglou said it would be foolish to tinker with the tactics that have served them so well all season.
“The key to finals games is goals. They’re usually tight affairs, so if you can score some goals you put pressure on your opposition,” said Postecoglou on Friday.
“Every goal you score, the pressure mounts on the opposition to do something about it. If we went in with a defensive mindset it’d probably work against us – it’s not our natural game.”
“We’ve been scoring goals regularly. I think it’s 25 games now where we’ve scored in every game.”
But while the Roar were full of confidence in their own offensive prowess, they also assured they wouldn’t be expecting to have it all their own way against the No.2 side in the country.
“They’ll be in mind that they have to stop us as well, but being at home I’m sure they’re looking for a positive result,” said Postecoglou.
“I expect them to come out (aggressively). They’ve played pretty attacking football, as well; they’ve score a lot of goals recently, so I expect them to come at us. “
Professional Footballers Association Goalkeeper of the Year Michael Theoklitos echoed his coach’s sentiments, guaranteeing the Roar would go for the jugular and expecting the Mariners to respond in kind.
“We only know how to play one way, and that’s attacking football. I know Arnie (Graham Arnold) sets out his team to play attacking football (as well),” he said.
“From day one, Ange wanted us to earn results. He didn’t want us to grind out results … we’re about attacking and playing attractive football. It’s worked for us all year and we won’t be changing it for anyone.”
Adding to Brisbane’s confidence in sticking with a guns-blazing approach is the return from injury of one of the league’s most deadly marksmen, Jean Carlos Solorzano.
Both Solorzano and midfield lynchpin Massimo Murdocca are said to be at ‘100 percent’ after cautious quad strain rehabilitations, and will be named in the squad for Saturday’s match.
“It’ll be a handy acquisition to be able to throw them on at some stage. It’s finals time and they all want to play now, so it’s good,” said Postecoglou.
“The biggest thing you notice is that no one is saying they’re sore and no one’s saying they’re tired. They’re all feeling 1000 percent.”
