Strikers Up For Jets Challenge
Words: Staff Writers
Image: Albert Perez
Brisbane Strikers coach Kevin A’herne-Evans says the league table counts for little ahead of this weekend’s Grand Final rematch.
Strikers and Moreton Bay United meet for the first time since last season’s dramatic end-of-season decider on Saturday at Wolter Park, with the teams polar opposites in terms of recent form.
Jets have started 2016 where they left off last year with three straight victories, while Strikers have had to settled for just two draws so far.
However, A’herne-Evans remains confident his players can thumb their noses at the formbook and achieve break through at Wolter Park.
“We will go into this game against Moreton Bay really confident, knowing that ironically we play quite well against them especially at their place,” A’herne-Evans explained.
“We always look forward to going there because we know it’s going to be a real, solid test. But I’m confident that we can win the game.”
He added that he has found plenty of positives from last week’s frustrating 1-1 draw against Gold Coast City – a match Strikers dominated for significant periods.
“We’ve got a number of very attractive attacking players in the side, but it’s about creating a platform for them to express themselves and I thought we did that really well on Sunday, particularly in the first half,” A’Herne-Evnas said.
“But pleasingly, although we dominated the first forty-five minutes, we actually created better opportunities on the counter in the second half. So that’s a different aspect.”
“What I was also really pleased about was, when we conceded quite late, the reaction for the next five minutes wasn’t ‘okay, we are going to hang on for a point’ - the players responded and said we want to go and wrestle the three points.”
A’herne-Evans said it was Jets’ collective consistency that has delivered results this season and not individual players.
“There’s no such thing as going to Moreton Bay and worrying about certain individuals. You’ve got be worrying about a team that’s going to be doing everything it can to get three points,” he concluded.
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 4
Saturday, March 19
Moreton Bay United FC v Brisbane Strikers FC
Wolter Park, Moreton Bay
Kick-off at 6:00PM
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