Become a member to join in Australia's biggest sporting debate, submit articles, receive updates straight to your inbox and keep up with your favourite teams and authors.
Melbourne City travel north to face the Brisbane Roar to begin the second round of the new A-League Men’s season. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:45pm (AEDT).
Brisbane Roar got off to a flying start against Macarthur last weekend, but by the second half they were holding on, and had goalkeeper Jordan Holmes to thank for keeping the scores locked at 0-0.
Melbourne City on the other hand took full advantage of some generosity from the Western United defence in their 2-1 success in the opening game of the A-League Men season, and they unearthed a new cult hero in Valon Berisha. That Aussie larrakin twist to his post-match interview put the Kosovan in the national spotlight but that was after his skilful play had already lit up AAMI Park beforehand.
City did run out of steam and almost let Western United back into the game, but the three points were well deserved against the Champions.
City have the personnel at their disposal to put their opponents to the sword, and coach Patrick Kisnorbo doesn’t have room to fit all his stars into the starting line-up, Marco Tilio and Richard van der Venne missing out last week and they may possibly miss out again this time round.
Tom Glover could be pivotal for City this evening, and this game looks to be an intriguing match-up.
Roar boast a real marquee player in Charlie Austin, a player who has brought something extra to the A-League and who has embraced everything about Australia. If that doesn’t make him a cult hero already, nothing will, and he has plenty of quality around him.
Connor Chapman welcomes his old team to Suncorp Stadium and will know he’s in for a tough game, while Jay O’Shea continues to add that touch of silk to coach Warren Moon’s midfield.
Advertisement
Brisbane Roar have a good record against Melbourne City in Queensland over the years, winning 60 per cent of their home encounters.
Prediction
Brisbane Roar will soak up the pressure to sneak a goal in the second half, and will hold on tight until the end for a slender victory. Brisbane to beat the Grand Finalists 1-0.
1. Macklin FREKE (GK), 2. Scott NEVILLE 3. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 4. Anton MLINARIC, 5. Tom ALDRED (C), 6. Connor CHAPMAN, 7. Rahmat AKBARI, 8. Riku DANZAKI, 9. Charlie AUSTIN, 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC, 13. Henry HORE, 15. Jesse DALEY, 16. Joshua BRINDELL-SOUTH, 17. Carlo ARMIENTO, 18. Matti STEINMANN, 19. Jack HINGERT, 23. Jordan HOLMES (GK), 26. James O’SHEA, 27. Kai TREWIN, 28. Joseph KNOWLES, 29. Cyrus DEHMIE, 35. Louis ZABALA.
Melbourne City
1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON (C), 4. Nuno REIS, 6. Thomas LAM, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE, 9. Jamie MACLAREN, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 14. Valon BERISHA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Taras GOMULKA, 18. Jordon HALL, 22. Curtis GOOD, 23. Marco TILIO, 25. Callum TALBOT, 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 37. Max CAPUTO, 38. Jordan BOS.
