Mulvey hails Brattan; "he can hit a ball"

Brisbane coach Mike Mulvey has singled out Luke Brattan as the best striker of a ball in the competition after his side progressed to the semi-finals of the A-League’s ‘Sudden Death’ Finals Series.

CreditL Brisbane Roar

The 23-year-old broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when Roar Captain Thomas Broich spotted his late run to the edge of the box, angling his corner into his path. Brattan’s strike was aimed low and hard to the bottom corner where Cassio failed to keep the shot out.

Mulvey reserved high praise for his English-born midfielder who put Brisbane in charge of the cutthroat final.

“There’s no better striker of the ball in the league than Luke Brattan,” Mulvey said.

“You see it with his range of passing… particularly his diagonal balls and his shooting. He can hit a ball.

“I was very pleased for him because it was an important goal for him and an important goal for us,” he said.

Mulvey said his side were becoming more ruthless and making the most of the chances they create.

“Last time we played in Adelaide we didn’t score until the 82nd minute,” Mulvey said.

“[This time] we got two goals in the first half and the opener was really important because it quietened the crowd down.”

Adelaide coach Michael Valkanis said his side’s in-game mistakes were their downfall.

“We conceded two goals that shouldn’t happen in finals,” Valkanis said.

“This is finals football and you pay for your mistakes.

“We had some good chances and we should’ve done better,” he said.

The Roar return to Brisbane as the walking wounded after Brattan (calf), Broich (achilles) and Hingert (ankle) were all forced off the pitch.

All three are in doubt for the Roar’s semi-final against the Wanderers on Friday night, however Mulvey has faith his side will be prepared for their biggest test of the year.

“I’ve got every confidence that we’ll prepare as well as we possibly can and we’ll be there on Friday night and hope to give them a good game,” Mulvey said.