Brisbane Roar could lose three key players to injury because of a short turnaround for their A-League semi-final against Western Sydney Wanderers.
But Roar coach Mike Mulvey refused to criticise the scheduling of the semi-final, despite conceding it could cost him players.
The defending champion Roar ended Adelaide United’s season with an ominous 2-1 away triumph in Sunday’s elimination final.
But influential midfielder Thomas Broich, goalscorer Luke Brattan and defender Jack Hingert all suffered game-ending injuries in the Hindmarsh Stadium victory.
The trio face a race against time to overcome their ailments for a Friday night semi-final against the Wanderers.
The other semi-final between Central Coast and Melbourne Victory will be played on Sunday.
Mulvey said the day’s difference between the semi-finals could prove decisive for the chances of his injured players fronting against the Wanderers.
“In those cases, it might have helped,” Mulvey said of an extra day’s rest.
“But from a playing perspective … I have got no problems in terms of fitness, the mental state, the preparation, the style of things. We will have no problems being ready for Friday night.
“It’s just on those particular injuries that a day (extra) might have helped.”
Broich suffered a corked achilles tendon and was substituted at halftime.
Hingert limped off as his right ankle swelled “like a balloon”, Mulvey said. “The game might come too quickly for him on Friday,” he said.
And Brattan, who drove the first nail in Adelaide’s coffin with a long-range goal in the 27th minute, limped off late after suffering a knock to his calf.
Brattan’s strike was followed by a goal from industrious midfielder Ivan Franjic just before half-time.
Adelaide, outplayed and outclassed, never threatened until an 89th minute goal from Dario Vidosic raised false hopes of an escape.
“We conceded two goals that shouldn’t happen in finals,” dejected Adelaide caretaker coach Michael Valkanis said.
Valkanis refused to publicly comment on whether he would now apply for the permanent coaching job at Adelaide for next season.
But with two wins from 10 games since being appointed interim coach when John Kosmina quit, Valkanis appears at long odds to be the next full-time coach of the Reds.
Roarsome
Guest
After the Sydney game, Nijland went straight up the tunnel and didn't celebrate with the team or take the walk around Suncorp to see the fans. After the game I thought he won't earn his starting place back after the qualit display from his team mates against Sydney so it's another week on the bench. During the week it was confirmed that his contract in Europe is not being renewed so he's obviously had a pretty poor week. Still his work rate is appalling and now he's playing for a job, either here or overseas. Hopefully he'll get it together if we need him.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Well when you say it like that... :D Makes much more sense ;) You're a funny one Towser.
Realfootball
Guest
Agree. Nonsense journalism. Standards in this country aren't high.
Towser
Guest
Course it does kellett lad,went to the doctor the other day & he told me that he put in his notes "the English born Towser has an ingrowing ear hair". I'm sure it made all the difference to the way he treated my condition,because his suggestion that I watch Harry Potter films non stop for 3 days whilst eating 5 pork pies seems to have worked. Cant think what would have happened if he'd suggested watching "the Castle' twice a day with damper & a can of Fosters.
Cameron
Roar Guru
It's very important to note and makes a huge difference! ;)
Towser
Guest
Realfootball Yes a good example of his shortcomings,remember it well.
Cameron
Roar Guru
That annoyed me! Besart played so well in that game and was not rewarded at all. Instead some of the players either forgot he was there or got goal hungry. Stef Nijland didn't do much exciting or anything to suggest keeping him for next season.
Mahler
Guest
Wonder why they say that Hingert is English-born? What relevance is that to his injury or his life as a pro football player?
Realfootball
Guest
There was one telling moment in the game, where a throughball was 50/50 for Nijland and Galekovic, and Nijland, instead of sprinting, gave up on it. Every other Roar player would have chased it down. And he was fresh, just on the park. Unforgivable.
Cameron
Roar Guru
"Mulvey is confident Broich and Brattan will be available but concedes English-born Hingert is unlikely to take his place against the minor premiers." Straight from the article - from the FFA! We have Premiers, then we have Champs.
stam
Roar Rookie
What? They called wsw the minor premiers, nothing about calling the finals series the minor premiership??
Cameron
Roar Guru
NEWS IN - Broich and Brattan likely to play says MM. Problem with the article/link provided is that it's written on the FFA website and they have once again called it the minor premiership. They are doing their best to devalue it's importance aren't they? http://m.footballaustralia.com.au/a-league-news-display/article/Mulvey-confident-Broich-will-play/64768
Towser
Guest
Realfootball Skill is not enough in the A-League. Bottle ,guts,mettle,commitment,drive,work rate ,putting in ,whatever you want to call it are needed. So far I see none of these in Nijland. Simon Hill said PSG weren't renewing his contract,Roar IMO should take a hint & offload him also,just too lazy laid back for the style MM is trying to bring to the Roar. The only thing this guy will press is his trousers.
Cameron
Roar Guru
They feared it was his Achilles. But when watching the game they gave an update on him. Saidit should just be bruising above the Achilles. They said next 48 hours would be telling. Fingers crossed it's just bruising. But until it swells back down they won't be able to confirm anything.
Realfootball
Guest
Hard to know how bad Broich is, but if it's just bruising, I would be surprised if he isn't able to start on Friday. Brattan was walking without problems with the team after the game, so clearly he will be ok If Broich can't start, it's Nijland's chance to finally step up and prove that he's worth a spot. Personally, I would rather see Lambadaridis that Nijland. My hunch is that we will see Stef at right back, Corey Brown at left, with Franjic staying on the wing - particularly if Broich is out. I thought Halloran looked very dangerous on the left when he came on. Nijland was hot and cold as usual. He has never convinced in his outings so far.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Brattan should be ok. Broich may start on the bench based on the fact it's a final. Hingert is gone and unless Roar make the final, he still might not be good though to participate.