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The mind games have begun, with Graham Arnold firing the first shot declaring that all of the pressure rests with the hosts to maintain their unbeaten run, all the while surely wondering just how to stop this impressive Roar run in front of a packed Suncorp Stadium.
BRISBANE ROAR
Ange Postecoglu’s clean out of the Brisbane Roar has clearly been a success this season. While harshly criticised at the time for cutting loose the most experienced and decorated members of his squad, this move has proved a smart one with the Roar tactician successfully changing the playing style and culture of the club to produce the longest unbeaten streak in Australian professional football history.
Based on a possession style pass-and-move game the Roar this season have dominated their opponents by working hard off the ball to create space, and dictating the pace of the play. Centred around ball playing midfielders Matt McKay and Thomas Broich this style has gained plenty of success and admirers in equal measure.
Their stoic defence, admittedly without the influential Luke De Vere have been one of the strongest in the league with thirteen clean sheets. Built from the back, Brisbane’s movement provides a number of outlets for the play, and the passing skills and range of McKay and Broich in particular ensure possession is kept and valued. The pace of their attack is also a constant threat with Kosta Barbarouses, Jean Carlos Solorzano and Henrique all chipping in with goals and impressive displays throughout the season.
Pressing is another key to the Roar style. When the ball is lost the players work hard to regain possession and pressure their opponents into making mistakes or launching long balls.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
The Mariners’ great strength this season has been their defence. Dutch centre back Patrick Zwaanswijk has been a revelation this season next to the ever reliable captain Alex Wilkinson. Both are strong in the air and equally comfortable playing the ball out from the back. Their organisation and strength will be key in keeping out a quick Roar attack. Fullbacks Pedj Bojic and Josh Rose have been energetic in defence and eager to join the attack, constantly providing a wide outlet for the Mariners’ play with Rose particularly impressive getting forward.
Providing the spark in midfield is Argentine import Patricio Perez, who along with Kiwi international Michael McGlinchey control the direction and rhythm of the play. Mustafa Amini is the midfield wildcard on the bench and has provided some impressive cameo’s this season. Sitting just behind is Rostyn Griffiths whose main instructions from coach Graham Arnold will be to break up the Roar’s slick play in midfield, screening just in front of the defence.
The Mariners possess a tenacious and athletic attack with strikers Matt Simon, Adam Kwasnik and Daniel Mcbreen making up for what they lack in technique and finesse with sheer hard work and determination. Their desire and drive in defending from the front will be key for the Central Coast.
CONCLUSIONS
For the Mariners to come out on top, it is crucial to suppress Brisbane’s passing game through closing down space for the Roar between defence and midfield, and countering quickly using the pace of Simon and the vision of Perez. The Mariners will be sweating on the fitness of the little Argentine but have a ready made replacement with the young and promising Mustafa Amini.
Conversely, if the Roar are to continue their fine run and claim top honours they need to stick to their style and not allow the pressure of the occasion or the fit and determined Mariners to affect their usual game. McKay and Broich need to have big games and dominate the midfield, as well as ensure good supply to the feet of Barbarouses who has been particularly potent in front of goal this season.
The match shapes up to be a clash between two Australian coaches with differing football philosophies that have shaped two vastly different teams. Both however will look to commit men forward to the attack and go all out for the win. Grand Final day 2010/11 looms as a fitting spectacle to what has been an entertaining Hyundai A-League season.
PREDICTION
I'm going to tip Brisbane for a 2-1 victory over the traveling Mariners. It will be a tight game but they've got the psychological edge and I think will be too slick in the end - especially in front of their home crowd.
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Local kick-off: 4.00pm (5.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Assistant referees: Ben Wilson and Brad Hobson
Fourth official: Strebre Delovski
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2. Matt SMITH, 4. Shane STEFANUTTO, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 9. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 10. HENRIQUE, 12. Matt MUNDY, 14. Rocky VISCONTE, 15. Matt McKAY (c), 16. Daniel BOWLES, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 19. Chris BUSH, 20. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 21. James MEYER, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Milan SUSAK
*four to be omitted*
In: Daniel BOWLES (promoted), Luke BRATTAN (promoted), Chris Bush (promoted), James MEYER (returns from injury)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Central Coast Mariners: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2. Daniel McBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 13. Michael BAIRD, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 18. Alex WILKINSON, 19. Matt SIMON, 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK, 24. Bernie IBINI ISEI, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk)
*three to be omitted*
In: Matthew LEWIS (promoted), Pedj BOJIC (returns from suspension), Michael BAIRD (returns from injury)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Brad PORTER (knee - 4 weeks), Nik MRDJA (knee - season), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee - season)
*three to be omitted*
In: Matthew LEWIS (promoted), Pedj BOJIC (returns from suspension), Michael BAIRD (returns from injury)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Brad PORTER (knee - 4 weeks), Nik MRDJA (knee - season), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee - season)