Friday, October 30th, 10pm NZT
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Written by Jonno Ross
After missing out on the first round of the A League campaign due to match rescheduling, Brisbane Roar showed they were itching to get out on the park last weekend. After a busy off-season with player departures and arrivals, Roar fans would have been intrigued to see how their new-look, revamped team would shape up come opening day of their season.
Brisbane did not disappoint. They came away with the three points after a 2-1 win over Perth Glory. The damage was done in the first half, thanks to goals from Justin Vidic and Nam Tae-hee. Perth looked set to stage a comeback, but couldn’t find the back of the Brisbane net. 2-1 to the home side, winning just their second opening game in the last ten seasons.
Auckland FC will be looking to bounce back strongly this week. As we all know, we suffered a disappointing 5-2 defeat to Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend. The defeat sent some supporters into panic, raising questions about the performance. Everyone needs to stay calm – one loss doesn’t define the season.
It seemed like Auckland were going to kick on after winning their first game over Melbourne City. Luka Vicelich broke the deadlock with a stunning volley off a Francis de Vries cross, breaking the record for Auckland’s youngest ever goalscorer at just 18 years old.
The lead was cancelled out two minutes before halftime – one of the worst times to concede, and an absolute coach killer. It seemed to rattle the boys, coming out of the second half and conceding twice in a matter of minutes. Individual mistakes cost us, and the game was as good as over. A reality check for the players, who will look to right their wrongs on Friday night.
It’s all about the response. Championship-winning teams are judged by how they react when things go wrong, and Auckland need to show that last weekend was a one-off rather than a sign of things to come.
However, there’s one statistic Auckland supporters will be hoping continues.
Auckland FC remain unbeaten against Brisbane Roar in competitive A-League fixtures, winning three of their four previous meetings, with the other ending in a draw. Both previous competitive visits to Brisbane have resulted in 2-0 victories for Auckland.
Of course, past results count for little once the whistle blows. Brisbane will be determined to change that record, and Auckland can’t afford to underestimate them.
The biggest concern for Auckland will be their defence. Conceding five goals last weekend is far from ideal, and Pedro Moreira will be looking for a much more disciplined performance from his backline. If Auckland can tighten things up defensively and take their chances going forward, there’s every reason to believe they can leave Brisbane with three points.
Brisbane will be looking to make home advantage count, but Auckland have the quality to get a result. A win would be the perfect response to last weekend’s disappointment and another positive step in their title defence.
The boys need to put the Wanderers result behind them, get back to basics and show the competition what they’re capable of.
Players to Watch:
Brisbane Roar – Nam Tae-hee
The South Korean midfielder opened his account with a spectacular volley against Perth. His technical ability and eye for goal make him a dangerous opponent, and Auckland will need to ensure he doesn’t have too much time on the ball
Auckland FC
On Friday night, the attention won’t be on individual players. All eyes will be focused on how the side bounces back from last weekend’s defeat. Fans are calling out for a solid team performance. Here’s hoping we add to our points tally and move up the league ladder
Where to Watch
- Sky Sport 3
- Paramount+
