01-11-2007, 10:02 PM
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Roar gunning for Victory
Thursday, 11 January, 2007 - 7:54PM
Marc Fox, Sportal
Andrew Packer
Andrew Packer
The Queensland Roar playing squad have been stung by their performances against Melbourne Victory this season but feel they remain in with a shout of challenging should they make the finals, according to defender Andrew Packer.
Packer, one of four players to have started every league match albeit in a variety of positions, began the Frank Farina reign in the worst possible fashion when he put one past his own goalkeeper on the way to a 2-0 loss seven weeks ago against the Victory.
He was also part of the defence that leaked four goals in a heavy defeat at the Telstra Dome in October and so is smarting more than most from the side's treatment at the hands of the premier this season.
But with all the talk centred on Melbourne's high-profile returnees, Packer believes the Roar will also be fresher for the recalls of Victorians Sasa Ognenovski after illness and Massimo Murdocca from a long-term foot injury.
And with the Victory playing their final home match of the regular season - with a crowd over 25,000 expected - he also says the hosts might have their heads turned on what could be seen as a night of celebration despite the Premier's Plate not actually being awarded.
"We haven't played our best against them. That's the thing, we've played poorly," admitted Packer. "I think that if we can play our best then maybe some of these guys who have had a week off can make a difference."
"If we can catch them out it might wreck a bit of their celebrations."
"We're getting there - I think we're building towards a really strong performance. If we get the results we might shake things up if we get there (the finals)."
Farina, who has the full outfield squad available for the first time helping counterbalance his problems in goal, has said he is not looking to make wholesale changes to the side which dug out a result in Adelaide.
Of those bought into the travelling party, Ognenovski has a strong chance of regaining his starting berth from Remo Buess in central defence, with Murdocca a chance of playing some role from the bench.
The Melbourne-born midfielder said before training on Wednesday he felt the side had been lacking a little enthusiasm in recent weeks and hoped he could provide that extra spark if selected.
But even though he has put his injured foot through a number of strenuous exercises during training and feels he's ready to play a role, Murdocca conceded any game time will most probably come as a second-half substitute.
"I have to admit I'm probably not ready to play more than 45 minutes so there's no point in starting me at this point in time," he said.
| Credit - A-League.com.au |
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