Brisbane City head coach Glen Volker has warned his players not to let thoughts of revenge distract them from the task at hand this Saturday night against Sunshine Coast Fire in the opening NPL Queensland semi-final.

Fire humbled City at their Spencer Park home 6-1 only four weeks ago, but Volker insists that revenge is the furthest thing from his mind in the lead-up to the match.

“For me, I’ve gone back over the tape of that game and I’m looking at what we need to do better to beat them,” Volker said.

“It’s not about a revenge thing or anything like that. That’s history and we have to worry about what we are doing this weekend. If we go out there too concerned about getting revenge then we will lose our focus.”

Following an impressive season that saw his side finish in second place, a pragmatic Volker admitted the nature of finals football means his side can’t take anything for granted.

“Obviously any knockout game is a bit of a lottery but we are confident about what we are doing as a group,” Volker explained.

“When we played them last time, we created a number of good opportunities ourselves but were poor in our finishing. So it’s about taking advantage of the opportunities that we know, if we are playing well, we can create.”

Asked who would be key to his team’s performance, Volker cited versatile captain Matt Biggins, midfielder Kenneth Dougall and star striker Antonio Murray as his side’s biggest assets.

However, Volker included a caveat: “Those guys can only be effective if the guys around them are doing their jobs as well. So, for me, there are going to be 14 guys who are important for us on Saturday.”

“But I’m sure Sunshine Coast have looked at what we got and how we play and they’ll be aware of what we’re going to do.”

Volker also said the hosting the semi-final at City’s Newmarket home ground was solid reward for the club’s loyal supporters.

“These are two good teams that have had really good seasons. With both teams hopefully at full strength it will create a really good spectacle and they’ll see some really good football.”

Saturday’s semi-final will be precursored by semi finals in the NPL Queensland youth divisions.

Brisbane Strikers will face off against Queensland Academy of Sport in the Under 18s, before City shape up against cross-town rivals Olympic FC in the Under 20’s.

The winners of the semi-finals qualify for their respective NPL Queensland Grand Finals to be held September 8 at a venue yet to be determined.

Match Details:

NPL Queensland Semi Final
Brisbane City v Sunshine Coast Fire
Saturday, 31 August 2013 – Spencer Park, 7:00pm

NPL Queensland Under 20 Semi Final
Brisbane City v Olympic FC
Saturday, 31 August 2013  – Spencer Park, 4:00pm

NPL Queensland Under 18 Semi Final
Brisbane Strikers v Queensland Academy of Sport
Saturday, 31 August 2013  – Spencer Park, 2:00pm

 

 

Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)
Image: Brisbane City