Roar clinging on to Finals Series dream ahead of ‘massive’ clash with Canberra

With the Westfield W-League Finals Series looming large, Brisbane Roar coach Jake Goodship is keeping minds focused on their ‘must-win’ match against Canberra United.

The Queenslanders were in a strong position to secure a top four spot at the conclusion of Round 9 but, after back-to-back matches without a win, their hopes hang in the balance ahead of the Round 13 encounter at Lions Stadium.

Roar are hovering in fifth place, three points behind 2018/19 Premiers Melbourne Victory, with their destiny now firmly out of their hands heading into their penultimate match against the Green Machine.

With a trip to face runaway 2019/20 Premiers Melbourne City to come next week, there is zero margin for error for Brisbane on Sunday evening.

“We never look beyond the game coming up, we’ve got to build as they come,” Goodship told brisbaneroar.com.au

“It’s a massive game this weekend. If we have any hopes of playing finals, every game is a must-win.”

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Goodship added: “We’ve got some big players in our squad who will step up, they like the big occasions.

“But we’re expecting them to give Heather [Garriock] a send-off, it’s her last game. We’re not expecting an easy game at all.”

Roar’s opponents, Canberra, are already out of the running, a point back from Brisbane in sixth place, but travel north knowing it is beloved coach Heather Garriock’s final match in the capital club’s dugout.

Any slip up by Roar could see their dreams of final football extinguished by the end of the day, but midfield star Katrina Gorry has no doubt her teammates are ready for a high-pressure scenario.

“Finals are on the line but at the end of the day we have full belief in our squad and our players,” Gorry said.

“If we play at our best and believe in the processes, we’ll get through and get the win against Canberra.”

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