Brisbane Roar can go ten points clear at the top of the A-League ladder when they hosted Adelaide United this evening. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 5.30pm AEDT.
Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey has challenged his players to reward their fans by bringing their away form home when they play an understrength Adelaide United on Saturday.
The A-League leaders go into the match in great fettle after defeating Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory on the road and with Shane Stefanutto and Besart Berisha both aiming to return from injury.
Mulvey wouldn’t confirm on Friday whether former Socceroo Stefanutto or star striker Berisha would be in the starting line-up given the Roar’s impressive results without them.
But, recalling the 2-0 loss to Newcastle Jets when last at Suncorp Stadium, he urged his players to treat home fans to the kind of flowing football they’ve displayed in Sydney and Melbourne.
“We owe our fans big time because we played poorly against Newcastle here,” said Mulvey.
“If we do that tomorrow, that will be three consistently good games on the trot and that’s what we’re after.”
The Roar received another boost with 33-year-old defender Stefanutto signing a one-year contract extension on Friday after youngster Dimitri Petratos agreed to a two-year extension earlier in the week.
“One thing I’ve expressed to the players this week is we’re getting some lovely press at the moment and not to get caught up in the hype of it all,” Mulvey said.
“It would be very easy for me to slot Bes (Berisha) straight back in and it would be very easy for me to maintain the same eleven.
“We’re at the stage now where we’re questioning whether we bring back our star striker, that tells you we’ve actually achieved something there.
“We’ve got that depth and we’ve got that quality.”
It’s a different story for Adelaide, whose depth will be stretched on Saturday with Bruce Djite (groin), Cirio (hamstring), Osama Malik (suspension) and Jake Barker-Daish (Australian under-22 duties) all unavailable.
The eighth-placed Reds signed Ryan Griffiths midweek to cover for some of their personnel losses and will be hoping to continue a good record in Brisbane where they’ve lost just two of their past dozen matches.
– With AAP
DAT
Guest
Talk about smash-and-grab, 2 chances and the Roar took it. What's the possession balance? Adelaide totally out-classing the roar, making them frustrated and tantrum physical. Belisha should be red carded for his tackles - total amateur - typical lucky hit and hope league this is! Perhaps having off day in final third but Adelaide's still transitioning as a team. People ask how on earth the Roar sits top of that league? And boy they are poor. I think they're top only due to other team's own misfortunes.
TK
Guest
Allan we were booing the ref for his shoddy first half performance. We don't boo our team mate.
The Bear
Guest
Is that your conclusion is it? Not booing the ref ??
RF
Guest
Really? Could they have been booing somebody else perhaps?
gonad the ballbearing
Guest
Wow Brisbane looked unstoppable before this. Adelaide some results to go with the football
Allan
Guest
How happy would they be right now, good on them ! I heard Brisbane fans booing their own team at the break... All class.
TK
Guest
Just home from the match and disappointed the roar didnt get their point. to be fair they were ordinary in the first half, but had adelaide under real pressure at times in the second half even with a man down. I didnt think it was a penalty as Theo got the ball first with his leg, which is why it went out to the right of goal, but the diving expert of the A league made the most of the close contest. thought the ref was a bit crazy with yellow cards in the first half which led to the brisbane send off with a yello given for a tackle that was no worse than many in the second half that were not carded. Brisbane missed Franjic badly I thought. good final goal by adelaide but on balance a draw would have been a fair result. but since when is football fair?
jamesb
Guest
Adelaide starting to come good. Good win by the Reds.
Stevo
Guest
It ends 2:1 for Reds. Great game, 10 men Roar against AU. Can the derby do any better for entertainment and football skills????
Stevo
Guest
Elsey heads in for Reds 2:1 in 92 min !!!! WOW
Stevo
Guest
IT WAS COMING FROM THE ROAR. The Albanian Sharp Shooter puts one in clinically 1:1. Mulvey you genius.
Stevo
Guest
Hahahahaha, you must be happy!!!
c
Guest
how biased and pathetic has this home crowd referee been
Stevo
Guest
The Albanian Sharp Shooter now enters the field of battle!!
1860melbourne
Guest
Looking forward to a ripper second half. Strap on the seat belt folks!
Stevo
Guest
A test of Mulvey's coaching credentials coming up in the second half. Roar a man down and Reds playing very well. Good game for the neutrals and good advert for the HAL.
Davi
Guest
Worst refereeing performance of the season so far. Pen and send off where a disgrace
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
I bet Adelaide will win this match and finish in the top 6 come end of season.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Yes Neumann!!
1860melbourne
Guest
Great game of football. A league at its best.