Melbourne Heart FC will look to atone for a wrenching midweek defeat when it faces Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park tomorrow night.
Melbourne Heart FC will look to atone for a wrenching midweek defeat when it faces Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park tomorrow night.
After producing one of its strongest performances of the season, Heart were cruelly denied a deserved triumph when Central Coast-s Adam Kwasnik netted in the 89th minute of the match, consigning Heart to its third loss in four matches.
With regular first teamers Eli Babalj and Mate Dugandzic rested from the starting line-up, head coach John van ‘t Schip fielded an relatively untried eleven, with David Williams leading a three pronged attack featuring Alex Terra and Rutger Worm.
However, despite Heart-s stellar display, the Red and White was ultimately undone in the dying stages of the contest as the side was made to rue its profligacy in front of goal.
The team will hoping to show greater ruthlessness against Brisbane Roar, who have re-emerged in recent weeks to consolidate its place as one of the top two teams in the competition.
Producing a stirring 2-1 win over Sydney FC, the Roar will be on an emotional high, but will be forced to do without leading scorer Besart Berisha, who has been suspended for one match for his role in a post-match melee.
While Berisha-s suspension is subject to appeal, Heart will likely plan for the Albanian international-s absence.
Past Results
9 December 2011 – Brisbane Roar 1 Melbourne Heart FC 2 @ Suncorp Stadium
29 January 2011 – Brisbane Roar 2 Melbourne Heart FC 1 @ Suncorp Stadium
14 November 2010 – Melbourne Heart FC 1 Brisbane Roar 2 @ AAMI Park
Recent Form
Heart: WLDLL
Roar: LWDDW
Player to Watch
Thomas Broich – It is no surprise the German midfielder-s return to first team action following injury has coincided with Brisbane Roar-s sharp upturn in form, as the former Bundesliga star resumed his role as the side-s fulcrum.
Fact of the Week
Brisbane Roar have completed 4000 more passes than its nearest rival, the Central Coast Mariners
Squads
Melbourne Heart squad: 1. Clint Bolton, 2. Michael Marrone, 3. Brendan Hamill, 4. Simon Colosimo, 6. Matt Thompson, 7. Rutger Worm, 8. Kristian Sarkies, 9. Maycon, 11. Alex Terra, 13. Jonatan Germano, 15. David Williams, 16. Aziz Behich, 17. Jason Hoffman, 18. Curtis Good, 19. Eli Babalj, 23. Mate Dugandzic, 30. Sebastian Mattei *two to be omitted*
In: Eli Babalj (promoted), Simon Colosimo (returns from injury)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Nick Kalmar (back – 4 weeks), Kliment Taseski (foot – 4 to 6 weeks), Fred (groin – 4 to 6 weeks), Wayne Srhoj (quad – 1 week)
Brisbane Roar Squad: 1. Michael Theoklitos (GK), 2. Matt Smith (C), 3. Shane Stefanutto, 4. Matt Jurman , 5. Ivan Franjic, 6. Erik Paaratlu, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 9. Kofi Danning, 10. Henrique, 11. Issey Nakajima-Farran, 14. Rocky Visconte, 16. Mohamed Adnan, 17. Mitch Nichols, 18. Luke Brattan, 19. Jack Hingert, 20. Andrew Redmayne (GK), 22. Thomas Broich
*three to be omitted*
In: 19. Jack Hingert (promoted), 18. Luke Brattan (promoted), 9. Kofi Danning (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
