A packed Suncorp Stadium may provide more than just moral support for the cash-strapped Brisbane Roar in Sunday’s A-League grand final.
Roar coach Ange Postecoglou is keeping his fingers crossed it also helps provide what would arguably be more precious than a championship for Brisbane – a financial backer.
It has been revealed Football Federation Australia (FFA) will take over the Roar as early as Monday – a day after Brisbane’s maiden grand final appearance against Central Coast.
The FFA will take over the licence handed in by Roar directors Emmanuel Drivas, Emmanuel Kokoris and Serge and Claude Baradel and will keep the club afloat as they look for new investors.
“We don’t want to blow it out of proportion,” an FFA spokesman told AAP.
“We have a grand final that is selling out fast up there which will be a showcase of the two best clubs – that’s our focus at the moment.
“We’ve been in talks with the owners up there for some time with a view of broadening their capital base, bringing in more owners – that’s an ongoing process.
“Planning for a transition will continue after the grand final and coming weeks and months potentially.”
But the FFA spokesman was confident of finding backers sooner rather than later.
“Having qualified for the Asian Champions League next season, having an unbeaten 27 game streak – they have a great future and will attract investors,” he said.
Postecoglou hoped an expected grand final crowd of around 50,000 would prove a catalyst in the search for a new backer.
“I tell you what, if I had bucketloads of money and I rolled up on Sunday and saw 50,000 there I would be thinking ‘there is something here’,” he said on Tuesday.
“Regardless of the outcome (of the grand final) the club has shown the potential it has.
“From the moment I came here I thought there was massive potential in this place to make it a huge club.”
Not much could discourage the buzzing Roar squad just days ahead of their season decider.
Even the sight of Henrique limping off at training on Tuesday could not wipe the smiles off their faces.
Postecoglou said the dangerous Brazilian had been cleared of a quad injury and was expected to resume training this week.
After their record unbeaten run, cynics would suggest the bubble has to burst for the Roar at some stage – but Postecoglou is not one of them.
“I have always been a glass half full kind of guy,” Postecoglou said.
“I am not going into this grand final thinking ‘what could go wrong’.
“I am really feeling good about the season we have had and our form – if we play to our ability we will go well.”
But classy German import Thomas Broich added: “You don’t want to end a streak at a grand final, you have to protect that.”
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