FTS A-League Round 4 Preview: Western Sydney Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar
Last season, the Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers put on a fantastic finale of A-League football in front of over 50,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium. The winner of this fixture would be crowned the champions of the country and, on that particular afternoon, it was the Roar who ran out 2-1 winners. This Wednesday (7:30pm AEDT), these two teams will face off for the first time this season. However, this time round both sides are in desperate need to turn their capitulated campaigns around. Oh how things may change dramatically in the rapid world of football.
Six months ago Mike Mulvey guided his Roar side to both the Premiers Plate and A-League Championship respectively. Today, he has found himself out of a job. Indeed, the former Gold Coast United caretaker coach’s dismissal was handled poorly and perhaps too early on in the season. But nevertheless, in today’s revolving door of management, if a side is not garnering wins: the reward for failing to do so is not too far away.
Following on from last week’s late 1-1 draw at home to the competition front-runners Perth Glory, new coach Frans Thijssen will travel to Pirtek Stadium where his team will take on a side who also finds themselves in an uncharacteristic situation. The newly crowned champions of Asia are currently propping up the domestic competition and are yet to experience a win. Tony Popovic, just recently named the Asian Coach of the Year, will be eyeing this Grand Final rematch as the fixture in which his side must finally grab that elusive victory. Whether it is failing to fire upfront, or the inability to retain a lead, the red-and-blacks have been plagued by an inconsistency so far this season.
Last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Sydney FC highlighted the aforementioned and again left the Wanderers with an underwhelming and solitary point. This midweek game with the Roar will signify as Western Sydney’s last home match of 2014, and it is undoubtedly a fixture that both these successful football clubs would want to take all three points from. A win would mean more than what it mathematically represents to the competition; a win could signal the beginning of a resurgence. In the 2011-12 season, Brisbane, then-under Ange Postecoglou, overcame five successive defeats to emphatically clinch their second Championship in a row. In the debut season for Popovic and co, after failing to score a goal in their first three games, they went on to experience a fairy-tale season that saw the side finish Runners Up to the Central Coast Mariners. While it will be interesting to see how the men of the West bounce back from this predicament, there is no doubt of the Roar’s ability to overcome the odds. After all, they are the most successful club in A-League history for a reason.
Frans Thijssen’s ability is still yet to shine through given his recent appointment so therefore he and his players must be given time to adjust. But even despite this, and such is a common outcome in football, a change in management often translates to a change in fortunes. A vital victory for either side come Wednesday would mean sixth-place on the A-League standings, propelling themselves back into Finals contention in the process. Given what is at stake it would be difficult to rule against an all-out attacking fixture of football from being on show at Wanderland. Both respective teams’ seasons are in dire need of an uplift in fortunes. It could go either way.
Eyes On… Romeo Castelen
The Dutch winger has been phenomenal since donning the red and black shirt of Western Sydney this season. His experience, ability to demonstrate skill, pace and even defend when required has been a valuable asset in all areas of the pitch. While question marks still surround the fitness of the former Feyenoord flyer it goes without question that he has been a consistent standout amongst this inconsistent club. If the former Holland international is to start tomorrow night, expect the veteran to attack Brisbane’s understrength and youthful fullbacks at speed.
Head-to-Head:
Played: 8. Western Sydney Wanderers: 4. Draw: 2. Brisbane Roar: 2.
Last Meeting: 4/5/14 at Suncorp Stadium. Brisbane 2-1 (After Extra-Time) Western Sydney Wanderers
Form Guide:
Western Sydney Wanderers: LLDDD Brisbane Roar: LLWLD
Absentee List:
Western Sydney Wanderers: Brendon Santalab (shoulder – indefinite), Golgol Mebrahtu (knee – indefinite) Two still to be omitted
Brisbane Roar: Michael Theo (wrist – 3 weeks), Shane Stefanutto (groin – 6 weeks), George Lambadaridis (knee – 1 week), Jack Hingert (knee – 4 weeks) Two still to be omitted
Possible XI:
Western Sydney Wanderers: Covic, Cole, Topor-Stanley, Hamill, Adeleke, Spiranovic, Poljak, Saba, Castelen, Rukavytsya, Juric
Brisbane Roar: Young, Brown, Smith, North, Bowles, McKay, Brattan, Broich, Petratos, Borello, Henrique
Prediction:
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 Brisbane Roar
FTSAUS Fact:
Western Sydney Wanderers have not lost against the Brisbane Roar when Pirtek Stadium has been the venue. Home field advantage.
Brisbane Roar’s last defeat to the Western Sydney Wanderers stretches back to more than 18 months ago. That result came in Season 8’s Semi Final, in which Dino Kresinger and Shinji Ono were on the scoresheet. How times have changed. The Roar will no doubt be looking to extend this run come Wednesday.
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