Melbourne Heart FC will look to consolidate its place in the Hyundai A-League’s top six when the side travels to Suncorp Stadium to face Brisbane Roar tonight.
Melbourne Heart FC will look to consolidate its place in the Hyundai A-League-s top six when the side travels to Suncorp Stadium to face Brisbane Roar tonight.
The Red and White-s have enjoyed a mini-revival in recent weeks, claiming back-to-back victories for the first time this year to surge into contention for a home final.
With Perth Glory claiming all three points in the opening match of Week 22, the pressure is now on Heart to keep pace with the West Australian outfit, given the two-time Australian Champions loom as the side-s nearest challenger.
While Heart will be confident of netting a win against Brisbane, the Hyundai A-League-s form side presents a stern challenge to John van ‘t Schip-s charges despite their impressive record over Roar this season.
Heart was held to a 1-1 draw during their last meeting on January 21, while in December last year, Jonatan Germano and Eli Babalj inspired the side to a 2-1 over Brisbane on December 9, snapping the outfit-s 12-month unbeaten streak at home.
Van ‘t Schip though remains very wary of Brisbane, rating the side as the competition-s best despite occupying second spot on the Hyundai A-League table.
But with the Roar showing signs of recapturing the form which saw it claim the title last year, few would argue with him.
Recent Form
Roar: LWWWW
Heart: LDLWW
Previous Results
21 January 2012 – Melbourne Heart FC 1 (Germano) Brisbane Roar 1 (Berisha) @ AAMI Park
9 December 2011 – Brisbane Roar 1 (Nichols) Melbourne Heart FC 2 (Germano, Babalj) @ Suncorp Stadium
29 January 2011 – Brisbane Roar 2 (Solorzano, Meyer) Melbourne Heart FC 1 (Sibon) @ Skilled Park
Player To Watch
Besart Berisha – The Albanian international has confirmed his status as the Hyundai A-League-s most lethal marksman recently with six goals in his last four matches.
Fact Of The Week
Defender Michael Marrone remains one of the few players to have played every single minute this season, clocking up nearly 35 hours of Hyundai A-League action.
Squads
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, 11. Issey Nakajima-Farran, 14. Rocky Visconte, 16. Mohamed Adnan, 17. Mitch Nichols, 19. Jack Hingert, 20. Andrew Redmayne (GK), 21. James Meyer, 22. Thomas Broich, 24. Nick Fitzgerald *two to be omitted*
In: 4. Matt Jurman (returns from Qantas Australian U23 duty), 14. Rocky Visconte (returns from Qantas Australian U23 duty), 22. Thomas Broich (returns from injury)
Out: 10. Henrique (Suspended – two weeks)
Unavailable: Nil
Melbourne Heart squad: 1.Clint Bolton (gk), 2.Michael Marrone, 3.Brendan Hamill, 4.Simon Colosimo, 5.Fred ©, 6.Matt Thompson, 7.Rutger Worm, 10.Wayne Srhoj, 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 *one to be omitted*
In: Wayne Srhoj, Jason Hoffman (promoted)
Out: Paul Reid (End of Short Term Contract)
Unavailable: Nil
