SUDDEN DEATH IS WHERE IT’S AT! Adelaide take on Brisbane at Hindmarsh on Sunday.

 

This is it, Sudden Death, the term sticks in the throats of many football fans because theirs no coming back next week, you lose and the scoreboard screams “YOURRRR OUT!” This…is finals football, and we love it. We witnessed amazing scenes on Friday night. Perth Glory cruising at 1-0 until the evil Jarred Gillett brandished his demon cards at unsuspecting Glory players. This has reaffirmed for myself that no matter how much Tom Waterhouse and his bookie entourage has backed Roar to win this game, and to win it comfortably, football is- and forever will be- cruel.

What will Brisbane need to do to win you ask? Well it’s quiet simple; Bring the hunger.

At Brisbane the most valuable asset is not the slick passing, it’s not key players, it’s the drive. The last finals campaign we put The Mariners to the sword because we wanted it more, the Mariners of course couldn’t match it and folded. Against Melbourne Heart two weeks ago the difference in fight was astounding and Roar really should have buried them in the first half.

Brisbane Roar’s Friday training session was one of its most intense, players were flying in with brutal tackles and a break out of a fight was on the urge of erupting. Mulvey said after training “You need that intensity. You can’t just switch it on and off. Their focus and hunger is there.” Let’s hope this continues against a feeble Adelaide side that isn’t showing any signs of knowing the definition of intensity as they limped into the finals so pitifully. But it is not only Adelaide who has been pitiful; we have been humbled this season because of a lack of drive and it is why we are 5th. Can we bring the hunger to the game were we need it most? That will be answered on Sunday.

Players who will need to lead from the front in regards to this are our stand in captain and gentleman of the A-league Thomas Broich, Our schizophrenic Albanian, Besart Berisha and our bearded hobbit, Luke Brattan. These killer bees will need to be on their game if we are to hammer Adelaide into the Hindmarsh turf. Many would expect me to name the two imports as key players but may be surprised with Brattan as one of my key men. For me Brattan has the most important role on the field, he is known for his amazing distribution but Brattan has also developed his defensive qualities massively. If he can shut down Adelaide’s two number 10s in Dario Vidosic and Marcelo Carrusca then that will go along way in assuring victory on Sunday.

For Adelaide these two players are extremely important in ensuring victory for the Reds. Dario is an intelligent and calm player who hasn’t reached the amazing form he was showing at the beginning of the season were he only missed out on Socceroos call up because of a minor injury. If he is on his game there will be a lot of nervous Brisbane Roar fans watching on. But he can’t do it alone. Adelaide’s defensive midfielders will need to stand up big time if they are to succeed. Not only to stop players such as Mitch Nichols and Broich, but to win the ball back to then supply Carrusca and Dario so they can do the damage they are paid for.

But what I am most concerned about is Eugene Galekovic. Because if we take this to penalties then their is no hope for us, ‘The Galekabeast’ will destroy us mentally as we missed three penalties in a row in Thailand not to mention the Albanian missing the penalty in our last meeting, (In which Mike Cockerell believed Galekovic stopped  with his mind). But after saying all that when an opposition fan thinks the biggest threat to us achieving glory is ‘The Goalkeeper’ then the Reds have serious issues with their squad.

Adelaide will not win on Sunday; the football gods will not allow this dribbling underdog to defeat the defending champions. I see the final score being 2-0 to Roar. Bring it, Valkanis, I can’t wait…

Head to Head

Played 25 games – Adelaide United 9 wins Brisbane Roar 8 wins Draws 8

Record at Hindmarsh Stadium

Played 13 – Brisbane Roar 6 wins Adelaide 4 wins 3 draws

Form Guide

Adelaide United (LWDLD), Brisbane Roar (WDLWW)

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