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Queensland Roar captain Craig Moore says capping off a dramatic season with an A-League title would equal any other achievement in his decorated club career.
The Socceroos defender, who underwent surgery mid-season after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, won five league titles and seven cups in 12 seasons with Scottish giants Rangers.
But the 33-year-old said he would rate leading the Roar to their first A-League title just as special as anything he achieved abroad.
“It would be as important and mean just as much to me as anything I won at Rangers,” Moore told AAP at the A-League’s finals series launch.
“To lead a team and to have an opportunity to win something, it doesn’t matter what club I’m at or what stage in my career, it’s always very special.”
Moore had a cancerous testicle removed in November but returned to the field just 12 days later before leading the Roar into third position at the end of the regular season.
He admitted it had been a trying campaign, but said he was looking forward to helping carry Queensland’s strong late-season form into the finals.
“It has (been tough), but it’s fairly much been typical of my career – a bit of good and a bit of bad – but that’s made me the person I am,” Moore said.
“It’s been a testing year but all the same I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Moore said he tried not think about the cancer scare now but said it was “something I’ll need to monitor for the rest of my life.”
The Roar face Central Coast in Friday night’s minor semi-final first leg at Bluetongue Stadium.
The Mariners have not beaten the Roar at home in six attempts, something Moore said was sure to be playing on their minds.
“As much as you talk it down and say it’s not something they’re not thinking about, you know it will be in their minds,” Moore said.
“So hopefully we can use that to our advantage and look to do what we have done down there in the past, whether that’s a draw or a victory.
“Then hopefully we can finish off the job at Suncorp (Stadium) the week after.”
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