There should be some added spice to Western United FC’s home clash with Brisbane Roar in Ballarat on Sunday in the final match of Round 19.
There was a dramatic post-script to their only previous meeting in December – a 2-0 win to United – which lead to a war of words between coaches Mark Rudan and Robbie Fowler.
Fowler told Rudan to ‘take a good look at himself’ after the ex-Phoenix boss criticised the Roar coach for not shaking hands at full-time.
The battle of the coaches is another sub-plot to a huge clash for both sides that has finals ramifications.
Roar leapfrogged Western United into the top six with their 2-1 win over Adelaide United last weekend, meaning they have lost just one of their last seven games.
United head into this one after a bye last weekend, with their most recent game a goalless draw against struggling Newcastle Jets in Round 17.
Which one of these sides will be in the top six come full-time at Mars Stadium?
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Sunday, 16 February 2020
Kick-off: 4pm AEDT
Venue: Mars Stadium
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
HOW TO WATCH: Every Hyundai A-League match in Round 19
BEST XI: Hyundai A-League Team of the Week – Round 18
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Team news
Western United FC squad: 1.Filip KURTO (gk), 4.Andrew DURANTE, 5.Dylan PIERIAS, 7.Valentino YUEL, 8.Panagiotis KONE, 9.Apostolos STAMATELOPOULOS, 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Dario JERTEC, 14.Max BURGESS, 15.Jonathan ASPROPOTAMITIS, 17.Joshua CAVALLO, 18.Besart BERISHA, 19.Josh RISDON, 22.Tomislav USKOK, 23.Alessandro DIAMANTI (c), 24.Thiel Iradukunda, 25.Luke DUZEL, 27.Jerry SKOTADIS, 28.Oskar Dillon, 30.Ryan SCOTT (gk).
**2-4 to be omitted**
Ins: 5.Dylan PIERIAS (promoted), 23.Alessandro DIAMANTI (return from injury)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 2.Aaron CALVER (foot 2 weeks) 13.Ivan VUJICA (osteitis ), 20.James DELIANOV (gk) (knee, season), 3.Brendan HAMILL (knee, season)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Max CROCOMBE (gk), 2.Scott NEVILLE, 3.Corey BROWN, Daniel BOWLES, 5.Tom ALDRED (c), 6.Macaulay GILLESPHEY, 7.Jai INGHAM, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 10.Bradden INMAN, 12.Aiden O’NEILL, 15.Aaron REARDON, 19.Jack HINGERT, 20.Aaron AMADI-HOLLOWAY, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Jake MCGING, 23.Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 25.Rahmat AKBARI, 26.Jay O’SHEA, 27.Kai TREWIN, 30.Mirza MURATOVIC
** 2-4 to be omitted **
Ins: 2.Scott NEVILLE (returns from suspension), 7.Jai INGHAM (promoted), 15.Aaron REARDON (promoted), 27.Kai TREWIN (promoted)
Outs: 28.Izaack POWELL (international duty), 77.Scott MCDONALD (not selected)
Unavailable: 29.Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS (knee – TBC)
Did you know?
- There have been 18 total goals scored in Western United FC’s last four Hyundai A-League games at home; with Mark Rudan’s side outscoring their opponents 10-8 in that time.
- Each of Brisbane Roar last four Hyundai A-League games have been 0-0 at halftime; however, the Queensland side have gone on to win three times in that span (L1).
- Robbie Fowler’s Roar have scored 13 goals within the final half-hour of games this Hyundai A-League season, more than any other team in the competition.
- Western United FC skipper Alessandro Diamanti has made 74 successful long passes this Hyundai A-League season, the most of any outfield player in the competition.
