Words: Steve Pitman & Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images

Brisbane Strikers coach Kevin A’herne-Evans says his side will be at their attacking best against Brisbane City in tonight’s Westfield FFA Cup Brisbane Zone Round 5 Qualifying clash at Perry Park.

Strikers incurred their first defeat of the 2015 season on Friday night against cross-town rivals Olympic FC, surrendering their position atop the PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland table in the process.

However, A’herne-Evans said he expected his side to return to form against City in tonight’s knock-out fixture and will take the game to their opponents from the outset.

“It will be mainly about getting back to what we do best and that’s playing with purpose, playing the attacking football that we love to see the boys play, and playing to feet,” A’herne-Evans said. 

“I think we went away from it a little bit at times on Friday but it’s difficult to gauge because of how quickly we went down to ten men and those circumstances dictated some of the decisions we were making.”

Strikers will be bolstered by the return of attacking weapons Jheison Macuace, who served a one-match suspension against Olympic, and winger Greg King, who has recovered from injury.

“Greg was in contention to be on the bench against Olympic, however we decided to err on the side of caution and hold him back a little bit further,” A’herne-Evans said.

“And when you’ve got a player like Jheison Macuace, we all know the strength that he is and he really suits the way that we like to play.  We like to get the ball to our attacking players, and the players that can create, as early as possible.  He’s a big player for us.”

However, Strikers will be depleted at the other end of the pitch with influential defender Greig Henslee unavailable after being red-carded against Olympic.

Despite their opponents residing at the opposite end of the table to Strikers, A’herne-Evans said league form goes out the window when it comes to the cut-throat Westfield FFA Cup.

“We all know how big the Westfield FFA Cup is”, he said.

“Last season some people missed the boat and took it a little bit for granted.  However, we know a lot of squads throughout the PlayStation 4 NPL, and outside it, have built squads just to compete and have a successful Cup run.  So it’s a huge game.”