The Brisbane Roar host Melbourne Heart to open Round 25 of the A-League. Join The Roar for live scores from 8:00pm (AEDT).
Despite a strong mid-season resurgence, Melbourne Heart still find themselves anchored near the bottom of the A-League ladder.
Their quest to make a late run at the finals is still mathematically possible, however would require an unlikely amount of results to fall their way.
Traveling to Suncorp Stadium tonight to face a Brisbane Roar side fresh off the back of securing the Premiers’ Plate will be a big ask.
That being said, the Heart will enter the match inspired to give Harry Kewell a reason to smile, following the announcement of his retirement during the week.
Although the Heart captain won’t be lining up in red and white tonight (Kewell is sidelined by an abdominal strain) the team will undoubtedly try and lift for him in their remaining games this season – whether finals are a possibility or not.
Brisbane on the other hand will ignore all the romance; their sights are firmly set on storming towards the finals, and a strong win at home is essential preparation.
Despite the elation their win over Melbourne Victory provided, the Roar will be aware that a last minute wonder-strike is not the most convincing way to secure a win.
They will be aiming to put in a more complete performance this evening.
Besart Berisha could prove the difference; he returns from suspension for this match and will provide a handy boost up front for the Roar.
The Roar will also draw confidence from the knowledge that the Heart have only won one of their past 24 away games – a truly daunting statistic for Heart fans.
Although the Heart will likely put in a gallant effort tonight, the Roar should prove to be too strong.
Roar to win 2-1.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:00pm (AEDT).
Da`
Roar Rookie
I'm thinking there will be a few marquee and new players generally for your starting squad, now that they have the Manchester City bucks flowing in. JVS should also be good for finding and trying some youth. But the reality is, that in a salary capped league, you can't just buy a full squad of replacements, as existing players have contracts. So you will have most of the same starting 11. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing, as continuity can be helpful. JVS is getting some good performance out of players who were quite ordinary under Aloisi. So I think the aim should be to supplement and complement the existing side anyway, rather than make wholesale changes. Engelaar and Broich are both real quality, aren't they?
Berash
Guest
The TWG match report wrote: "It was a clear accident but the referee thought otherwise." Read http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/match/report/279854/Brisbane-Roar-vs-Melbourne-Heart There is no rule saying that "stud up", "side kick" or "slide kick" is a foul leading to further punishment like yellow or red card. These are just symptoms that third persons (like referees, review panel members or spectators) infer on the intention of the player. There are norms in soccer matches, not written rules. And there is no rule saying contacting the ball is an exemption to everything. It is again, like above, one of the indicators for judgement. If a defender can contact with bringing down a striker in the box, it is not a penalty. The "contact" is just one of the indicators to help 3rd persons to make judgement. Not written, it is a norm. The way a striker contacting the goalkeeper is very common. And the most sad and unlucky incident happened in the 1982 World Cup finals, a match between France and Germany (Schumacher collision with Battiston 82). In this case, Battiston had his jaw fractured and a number of teeth off. This goalkeeper was condemned for this action by many people in the circle. No means to attack anyone here as blogging is one of the entertainments in football nowadays. Enjoy.
Stevo
Guest
JVS says most of that starting 11 will be with us next season. Well I hope that for the sake of the sanity of us supporters that most of the 11 become bench warmers and we get proper players to fill important positions like striker For Heaven's Sake. The importance of a quality midfielder was underlined when Engelaar came off. He showed last night he was head and shoulders above most players on the pitch except maybe for Broich who was influential for the Roar. Well done Roar and I'm backing you guys for the GF.
Griffo
Roar Guru
You're probably right Holly... ;-) Here was the tweet I saw quickly - not 3 straight reds (my bad) but sent off 3 times in one season: https://twitter.com/andyhowe_statto/status/449493811593351168
Holly
Guest
Or perhaps griffo doesn't ;)
Jack McComiskie
Guest
We'll done roar and the slippery fish. Felt really sorry for Berisha. Absolutely entitled to go for the ball and most Importantly gets it. Keeper comes in belatedly and recklessly, with head first. Arguably not even a foul and should be contested. Desire was everything in this match. Keep your head up Berisha.
Ian
Guest
Berisha's send off against Perth Glory was 2 yellows. So Andrew Howe doesn't know what he is talking about
Clayts
Guest
This. Roar beat teams with 10 men for fun. Almost glad victory will have to put up with it now
Clayts
Guest
But... It WAS an obvious error
Squizz
Guest
The Obvious Error system is intended to overturn red cards in exceptional cases only and as such the test is high.The MRP would have to determine that no referee would have even awarded a yellow card Berisha.. I think the MRP will find that Berisha committed the offence of "Serious Foul Play" and will propose a sanction of one match. They will not add any more matches. If indeed The Roar does appeal the MRP will have to consider the merits of an Obvious Error Application. The MRP will then reject the Obvious Error Application because the decision of the Referee was not an obvious error – ie the incident was not one that no referee would have even given a yellow card for which is the relevant test. If there were no threshold test or consequence, the temptation would exist for every club to challenge every red card.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Mulvey - Roar were rubbish in the first half, I told them ,they knew, but you need to tell them. We are capable of that sort of result... ...Mulvey - if that is a send off then I'm not here... ...very harsh decision...haven't spoke to him yet, but we are going to fight this... Lucy Zelic: do you think he (Berisha) has a target on his back? Mulvey: ....(pause)...have to be careful with what I say, but Lucy...I have to agree with you. LZ: (silent laughter) ....
Griffo
Roar Guru
van Schip saying Heart should have had a penalty early in the game...Heart used a lot of energy in the first half, then Brisbane started playing their own game, especially after Berisha sent off. No chance of making the finals now. Most if not all players in Heart line up today will be with them next year - next games to get to a level higher than they have been this year. ManCitey should be good for HeartFC with facilities and to help grow the club inside and out, and help push to play for the higher positions on the ladder. Going on about home advantage now and Hearts loss to Brisbane earlier in the season. Engelaar had issues last week (sounds like they are managing him, and took him off as a precaution...) Velaphi is an experience HAL keeper and will be playing the next two games (sounds like they will be looking at him for next year).
Griffo
Roar Guru
Well, not good for Heart but good for the Jets (>.<) - sorry... ...A MV and WSW win this weekend against Sydney and Mariners respectively, along with the Jets to win in Perth for the first time since HAL1 to start pushing further into the six...
Griffo
Roar Guru
Typed that too quick...that should be 'second player to be given straight red three times in the one season'... ...could be important to know at trivia night one day :-P
Griffo
Roar Guru
Foz says no red card, but Velaphi is lucky to get out of that un-injured...
Griffo
Roar Guru
Mulvey wasn't happy at half time, says Ferriera. Behich now: Heart started the game well...(Heart) looking to play well in the final two games.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Well that is it...Harry Kewell will not feature in the A-League 9 Final Series to top of a great career.
Stevo
Guest
Thank God the pain is over. Well done Roar. Too good even with 10 players.
Stevo
Guest
LOL. Once Engelaar came off we've just been running on the spot. Well done Roar. Far superior.
Griffo
Roar Guru
90+2min - Heart nearly out of time here...Brisbane going for the jugular...