Roaring Towards 2016
2015 was an up and down one for Brisbane Roar, with some high points on the field, not least of which was a first ever win in the AFC Champions League against Urawa back in March.
There’s also been more than a fare share of low points, with the clubs entire off-season seemingly spent going from one crisis to the next as the clubs debt continued to soar.
Entering 2016 however the majority of those issues appear to be in the past, with the local paper here in Brisbane today confirming that the club has met the Dec 31 deadline for repaying all player superannuation and bonuses. The ownership group are also continuing their commitment to re-capitalising the club it was confirmed in the same article.
On the field, Brisbane’s first task in 2016 is a home clash against Perth Glory, which sees two sided that are in some solid form meet at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Brisbane enters the game on the back of a 3 game winning streak, and a solid performance at home against Melbourne City last weekend. In what was a highly entertaining game played between two strong sides, Brisbane put on arguably their best performance of the season to emerge 3-1 winners.
Perth meanwhile arrives in Brisbane for a second successive road game after an impressive 1-1 draw in Melbourne against the Victory. All up the Glory enter the game on a four game unbeaten run which has seen them move within touching distance of the top six.
With last weeks strong performances for both sides in mind, both are likely to name unchanged squads for the match, before losing players next week for the Olyroos AFC u/23 Championships campaign.
In the W-League, were getting down to the business end of the season and for Belinda Wilson’s Roar side the margin for error is gone and nothing but a win in Adelaide on Sunday will be enough to keep their hopes of a finals berth alive.
With just three rounds remaining, Brisbane sit in 7th spot on the ladder, however they are just three points behind 4th placed Adelaide, so a win on Sunday would move them back into the finals picture.
In the National Youth League, where Brisbane have a home game against Melbourne City on Sunday morning which could well shape the final standings in Conference A.
As things stand Adelaide lead the conference, but have played a game extra and with second placed City and third placed Brisbane both within 3 points and with superior goal differences, the winner on Sunday could well be headed to the Grand Final.
Last time out Brisbane put 10 past the Conference leading Adelaide albeit being aided by first teamers Michael Theo, Luke DeVere, Corey Brown, Devante Clut and Shannon Brady, and it’s likely that they will all feature again on Sunday in order to maintain some match sharpness.
Kick-off in the NYL clash between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City is set down for 10.30 am local time at Cleveland Showgrounds.
Finally, Happy New Year to the readers, we’ll be back next week as the A-League officially reaches the half way mark of the season.
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