Words: Steve Pitman
Image: FNQ FC Heat

Brisbane Strikers captain Michael Angus says his team are looking to turn negatives into positives in Tuesday night’s Westfield FFA Cup clash against Eastern Suburbs FC.

The midfielder, whose team suffered its first PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues defeat in six matches away to league leaders FNQ Heat on Saturday, but was adamant the short break between big games is not a disadvantage for Strikers.

Instead, he explained it could prove a blessing by providing Strikers an early opportunity to put their disappointing performance behind them.

“Individually and as a team we just weren’t good enough in terms of performance and in terms of our standards and what we expect,” said Angus of his side’s efforts in Cairns.

“The players have to take responsibility for the performance and we just made too many errors in important areas of the field.

“But the positive thing is we can go out on the park with an early turnaround and go and redeem ourselves.We have to quickly focus on Easts tomorrow night and no doubt we are all in the same mindset with that.”

Angus expects a typically tough cup match against from Flight Centre Premier League outfit Easts, who are looking to become the fourth community club to eliminate a second tier opponent in recent weeks as Queensland clubs battle for four places in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32.

“A cup game is a unique situation where there has to be a winner and someone has to go through.  They’re a little bit different from league games in terms of that mindset,” Angus explained.  

“We know that it’s going to be a great test and we are not expecting Easts to be going at fifty percent – there’s no reason for them to do that.”

Brisbane Strikers and Eastern Suburbs have not met on the playing field since the 2006 season when Strikers won 2-0 at Perry Park and 6-0 at Heath Park.

Westfield FFA Cup 2016 – Preliminary Round 5

Tuesday, May 3
Eastern Suburbs FC v Brisbane Strikers FC
Heath Park, Brisbane
Kick-off at 7:30PM