Before Sunday’s A-League grand final, Brisbane Roar has a job to do when they host Ulsan Hyundai in a match that will be pivotal to their Asian Champions League hopes. We’ll have live scores and blog from 7.30pm AEST.
Halfway through the group stage of the Asian Champions League, two points from three matches would not be were Ange Postecoglou envisioned his side going into the tournament.
The measure, patient football that has made the Roar famous in the A-League has simply not worked on the bigger stage, with experienced sides knowing how to wait, and break down the play at opportune times.
It’s a Catch-22 for Ange Postecoglou tonight. Anything but a win will nearly spell the end of the ACL campaign, yet the temptation will be to rest the likes of Broich and Nichols with Sunday’s grand final in mind.
Ulsan come into this one sitting second in the group and fourth in the K-League, having lost once in their past ten matches.
The two sides met only a fortnight ago in Ulsan and despite losing defender Matt Jurman to a straight red in the first half, Brisbane battle valiantly to gain a well-earned point, and a repeat performance here could be enough to seize all three points.
Can the Roar keep their ACL dream alive? Join us from 7.30pm AEST as we cover the game live from Suncorp Stadium and if you’re watching, leave us your thoughts below.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Goodness, pete, "got the ball first" that means absolutely nothing in the rules as they stand.
Kellett1992
Guest
third ever goal in his career just saying
Stephen
Guest
People here are being kind to the Roar. Terrible display, can only hope they were playing with one eye on Sunday. Nichols played like s.., actually, Nichols played about as well as usual!
lexicon
Guest
Adnan's a liability if ever i saw one...
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Bad luck to the Roar, it's unfortunate for them that they have the Championship on the line this weekend, it's a mental challenge to be up for a midweek game while the Championship is there for the taking only four days later, it's a massive distraction. It's easy to say that professionals should be able to focus on the here and now, but it's not always that easy, in fact it's extremely difficult, especially in our unique context. The boys will be quite disappointed because Ulsan were definitely there for the taking, the game was eminently winnable. One silly brain explosion was enough to lose the game, but at the end of the day, the Roar were incapable of hitting top gear and fully testing Ulsan, either through tiredness, having their minds on the weekend, or a combo of both.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Ulsan aren't a football team, they're a bunch of sooky la-la crybabies. Biggest bunch of hypercondriacs since Shanghai Shenhua put on their acting routine to turn their game against Sydney FC last year into such a farce. No wonder Australians don't bother going to the ACL. With Ulsan having already cried wolf before, Brisbane Roar had every right to keep the ball in play.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Cracking game but Ulsan better overall. If A-league can generate a game of this type every weekend then there'll be no trouble attracting crowds - even Euro snobs! Good lead-up to the grand final for Raw.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Ulsan Hyundai players taunting The Den by bowing and clapping them as the visitors are ferociously booed along with the ref.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Frantic attempts in the final minutes of this match from Brisbane but it just wasn't enough. FULL TIME Ulsan Hyundai 2 - 1 Brisbane Roar
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Kwak did well to get across then, he'd definitely not a waddler
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
ANOTHER close range chance for Brisbane. They just CAN'T get that final touch to direct it into the goal. So so close from a brilliant cross.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
If they can manage it, Luke Brattan will be the one who clinches or sets up the equaliser for the Roar.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
4 minutes of added time.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Henrique now with the shot on goal! Should have gotten that. He had only the keeper to beat but tried the volley as the ball bounced in front of him. Poorly controlled it floated well over the goal. 89 minutes gone. Ulsan still lead 2-1.
Roarsome
Guest
We've had opportunities to equal but appear to be panicking a little. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Broich goes close off the Brattan cross. Maybe should have collected it with his right then shoot with his left. Took on first touch however and was deflected for a corner.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
On balance, it was a penalty. Adnan got far too much of the man than the slight toe poke of the ball.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Anyone else think the ref's hair belongs on the set of the Sopranos or something? Brilliant volume!
pete4
Guest
Contact was made with the ball first. No pen
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Jaesoo on for Ulsan. Moments later Brattan is absolutely collected from behind by Ho. Roar players really wearing emotions on their sleeve. Adnan takes the free from 25m out but floats it way to high. 84 Minutes gone Ulsan lead Brisbane 2-1.