After losing their first game in 37 matches last week, Brisbane Roar host Melbourne Heart tonight at Suncorp Stadium. Was last week a blip or a sign of something more significant? Join us from 8pm for live scores and commentary, and find out whether they will bounce back.
Most pundits need to sit down, take a deep breath and relax – absolutely nothing should be read into the Roar’s 2-0 defeat last week at the hands of Sydney FC.
Two losses out of the last 42 games represents an unbelievable record from whichever perspective one approaches it.
Ange Postecoglou’s task this week is to keep his charges level headed and focused normal training routines. No post mortems are necessary, leave the hand wringing for the teams with real problems.
The Roar will most probably welcome back their inspirational attacking midfielder, Thomas Broich, who was sorely missed last week as the Roar quickly ran out of ideas on how to get back into the game after going behind early in the piece against Sydney FC.
He’s the glue in the front third that ensures unity of purpose amongst the midfielders and the strikers/wingers, helping to retain possession with crisp passing and spot on decision-making, popping up when his team mates need him most, creating scoring chances and being there to finish when it’s his turn.
There remains a bit of doubt as to whether Broich is fully recovered from his injury, with the coaching staff having to also weigh up a mid-week fixture five days later.
That possibility presents us with one small question mark in the Roar’s capacity to bounce back solidly.
The Heart have a couple of their own worthwhile additions to the match day squad, welcoming back Wayne Shroj and Alex Terra.
The Heart managed a 1-0 win against the Phoenix in rural Victoria last week, and now find themselves in the middle of a chasing pack behind the top two positions.
They will be very keen to avoid a loss to stay with the posse.
The Roar won all three of their matches against the Heart last season, including a 4-0 hammering at home, but it has to be said that their last two fixtures were close 2-1 results.
Despite the Roar possibly missing their best player, it’s impossible to not tip a home win tonight. It’s the Roar 2-0.
Will the Roar avoid two straight losses, or are the Heart about to begin a streak of their own? We’ll have comprehensive minute-by-minute commentary from 8.00pm AEDT, so if you’re watching and you’ve got something to add, don’t hesitate to give us your thoughts below.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Actually, Worm and Mate on either wing is starting to look quite dangerous, and Fred is showing plenty at the moment.
Axelv
Guest
I approve.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Heh, heh, thanks Pete - sorry you did your dough - Heart were paying $7 for the win at the start of the game
Titus
Guest
Great game, really enjoyed it! For a year and a half the call was for the rest of the a-league to rise to the standard of "roarcelona", well it looks like Sydney and The Heart have met the challenge, and I am pretty sure Central Coast are there abouts, if not better.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
That's it for me tonight, an amazing result, did not expect this at all, but the Heart were terrific in that first half, and thoroughly deserve their win - thanks for joining me tonight, for another terrific A-League game.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
FT Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne Heart 2 Well what an amazing result, Heart with two early goals, both well earned, van 't Schip was true to his word, Heart came to play from the outset and got the reward. From the second half, it was clear from the start that this time the Heart were definitely intent of sitting back and waiting for the counter, it took a while for the Roar to swing into action, probably around the 75th min, Danning started causing the Heart defence problems, and Nichols finished off his good work to get back into the game, they continued attacking, Heart defended well, and ultimately deserved their win. the Roar will deny it, but they really did miss Broich tonight
Stevo
Guest
Now now !!
Stu
Guest
Always in Victory's shadow. You're still crap. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Stevo
Guest
YOU LITTLE RIPPER !!!!!!!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
95' Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne Heart 2 we're into the last minute, bolton collects the loose ball, takes his time to pump it forward, HOffman was nearly in there, defended well by Roar, back into attack, Franjic with cross, out for corner, claims of handball, this corner could be last roll of dice, Paartalu gets head to it, out, and it's over!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
94' Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne Heart 2 Danning pinches it, puts shot in, no realy venom, off line, Bolton lets it go, but he had it covered
The Cattery
Roar Guru
93' Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne Heart 2 Bolton has to scramble here, dives on bal at feet of the Roar player there, and earns himself the free, good play by the keeper
The Cattery
Roar Guru
92' Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne Heart 2 Visconte earns the foul, it's 31m out, good spot for the right footer to put it in, and would you believe it, the Heart played the offside trap, and there were a line of 5 Roar players lining up with the free header - Paartalu puts it well over!! and he was deemed onside.
Stevo
Guest
Schip, get rid of Maycon the waste of space!!!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
91' Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne Heart 2 there are 5 minutes of stoppage time, plenty of time for the Roar to pinch a point they haven't lost at home since January last year
The Cattery
Roar Guru
89' Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne Heart 2 Roar go down the left with use of Stefanutto, he's put in a heap of work last 10 minutes, Danning is currently popping up everywhere, Franjic gets away from his man, goes for a run down the right, to Nichols, back to Fitzgerald, paartalu, Jurman, Nichols tries the impossible pass into the box, there was only a line of 10 legs to get through, Jurman gives away the foul to relieve for the Heart
The Cattery
Roar Guru
88' Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne Heart 2 Marrone stops Danning in his tracks, ball all the way back to Theoklitis, Visconte pass cut out by Mate - defending!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
88' Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne Heart 2 Fred injury comes at a good time for Heart, Fred would have sensed the danger, they really need to regroup and get a bit o focus back, Roar running the show now, and look good for a second
Stu
Guest
Oh heart cheat. No wonder they're crap. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
87' Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne Heart 2 Fred down, crowd boos, everyone on tenderhooks, the game has come alive!