Tony Popovic believes that this week’s training camp on the Sunshine Coast has provided perfect preparation for his side ahead of Sunday’s clash with Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium [Kick Off at 4pm WST].
The squad remained on the east coast following their comprehensive victory over the Mariners on New Year’s Eve, a move the club’s Head Coach feels has been particularly beneficial.
“It’s been a good opportunity for us to have the group together,” he said. “We’ve come here [to the Sunshine Coast], the players have recovered from the game well and had their first full session on Thursday afternoon.
“The players are enjoying the relaxed atmosphere that we have here, but as much as we’re enjoying our time together, we’re here for a job and that is to be as prepared as we can be for what will be a tough game against Brisbane.
“Everyone has pulled up ok from the Mariners game which is obviously a positive. We have some sore bodies having played in hot and humid conditions, but not having to go back to Perth has helped with the recovery and we’re very thankful for that.”
Glory’s 4-1 win at Central Coast Stadium was their fourth from five away games this term and Popovic was especially pleased with his charges’ first-half display.
“We started with a really positive intent both with and without the ball and got that early goal,” he said.
“That really set the tone and we kept their crowd quiet and saw their players’ heads drop a bit. That’s one thing, but you have to take advantage of that and we didn’t want to let them get back into the game and get their confidence back, so getting the second and third goals before half time certainly set the platform to finish the game off in the second half.”
Next on the agenda for the ladder leaders is a showdown with a Roar side still adjusting to life without John Aloisi at the helm and Popovic was quick to pay tribute to his former Socceroos colleague.
“I know Johnny and I know how much work he did at that club,” he said. “Especially given the difficulties they’ve had there in the last two to three years, I think he did a wonderful job and I’d like to wish him all the best.
“There is always an impact every time there’s a managerial change, especially in the early stages.
“It’s their first home game since the change in management, but we’ll need to focus on ourselves and make sure we back up another good away performance at Central Coast. We’ll need to do that and probably be even better to get the result we want.
“The players are pleased with the result against the Mariners, but they’re very focused and know that they will have to work extremely hard to get another three points from what we know will be another very tough game on Sunday.”
In terms of early team news, Shane Lowry returns to selection contention after serving his one-match ban for accumulated yellow cards and Roar could welcome Daniel Bowles back into their squad after he too completed a suspension.
Match Details
Sunday, 6 January 2019
Brisbane Roar FC v Perth Glory
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 4:00PM WST (6:00PM Local)
Referee: Adam Kersey
Assistant Referee 1: David Walsh
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Lindsay
Fourth Official: Alex King
VAR: Jarred Gillett
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7.00pm (AEDT) , Sky Sport 3 (New Zealand) and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers
Radio Broadcast: myfootballnation.com (4BC, 6PR and SEN+). ABC News on Radio, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Listen App – A-League Live.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash tag #BRIvPER
To purchase tickets visit www.a-league.com.au/tickets
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 1.Brendan WHITE (gk), 2.Dane INGHAM, 4.Daniel BOWLES, 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN, 8.Jacob PEPPER, 9.Adam TAGGART, 11.Eric BAUTHEAC, 14.Alex LOPEZ, 15.Stefan NIGRO, 17.Matt MCKAY (c), 18.Joe CALETTI, 19.Jack HINGERT, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 23.Dylan WENZEL-HALLS, 24.Connor O’TOOLE, 26.Nick D’AGOSTINO, 33.HENRIQUE, 34.Aaron REARDON
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 4.Daniel BOWLES (returns from suspension), 7.Thomas KRISTENSEN (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 6.Avram PAPADOPOULOS (glute),10.Brett HOLMAN (knee), 13.Stefan MAUK (groin)
Perth Glory squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 2.Alex GRANT, 3.Jason DAVIDSON, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Joel CHIANESE, 9.Andy KEOGH, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 15.Brandon WILSON, 16.Tomislav MRCELA, 17.Diego CASTRO, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 27.JUANDE, 33.Liam REDDY (gk), 88.Neil KILKENNY
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 4.Shane LOWRY (returns from suspension), 15.Brandon WILSON (promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: 19.Chris IKONOMIDIS (international duty)
#OneGlory
