Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar have plenty to play for in the Australia Cup final
A ‘dangerous’ Brisbane Roar are expected to provide Sydney FC with a tough challenge in the Australia Cup final at Allianz Stadium.
The Australia Cup is much more than a “pre-season” competition for this year’s finalists Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar.
For the Roar, winning the Cup in Saturday night’s decider at Allianz Stadium would secure the one-time A-League heavyweights their first piece of silverware in more than nine years.
And while the Sydneysiders have had greater success in recent time than the Queenslanders, they too haven’t lifted a trophy since 2020 as they rebuild what was an ageing squad with the injection of some fresh young talent.
Add to equation the chance to play in the AFC Cup by winning the Australia Cup, and there’s plenty to play for this weekend even though the A-League season doesn’t start until October 20.
“It’s a bit more than a pre-season Cup now that the winners get to play in Asia, so there’s a lot more to play for,” Sydney midfielder Anthony Caceres said.
“There’s also silverware on the line, and when you’re at a club like Sydney, the demand is that you compete for silverware every season.
“We find ourselves in a good position at the moment and we’re enthusiastic about this game.”
As are the Roar, who under coach Ross Aloisi are playing an exciting brand of football that has them close to winning the Cup for the first time.
Star Roar midfielder Jay O’Shea said Aloisi – a former assistant to Kevin Muscat at Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos who was appointed Brisbane coach in May following the club’s disappointing 2022-23 campaign – had been “brilliant” for the squad.
“He’s been so positive for us,” O’Shea told Network 10 in praising Aloisi.
“Ross has been brilliant for us (with) the way we’re trying to play. He’s got us so fit., and there’s just a great buzz around the club again, and to make it to a final … we couldn’t ask for much more.”
The Roar’s play has also caught the eye of Caceres.
“Ross Aloisi is in charge, and he’s had some time overseas and he’s brought back some valuable things our league and got Brisbane playing an exciting brand of football,” the Sydney star said.
“They’re going to be a really dangerous team, and it’s a good test for us this weekend.”
Adding to the spice of Saturday’s clash is that Sydney skipper Luke Brattan is a former Roar star who was part of Brisbane’s three A-League title-winning squads in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Sydney’s squad is also likely to include talented young defender Jordan Courtney-Perkins, who was at the Roar on loan last season from Polish club Raków CzÄ™stochowa.
The Roar wanted him back this season, but he instead chose to sign a three-year deal with the Sky Blues/
Brisbane’s weekend squad is set to include attacking weapon Alex Parsons, who returned to the Roar in July after a frustrating 2022-23 campaign with Sydney.
“Alex didn’t get much game time here to show what he could do but I hope gets that back at Brisbane,” Caceres said.
‘We deserve finals spot’: Reds coach
There is no doubt in Carl Veart’s mind that his Adelaide United team is worthy of a place in this season’s A-League finals series.
Socceroos coach’s challenge to young guns
Staying in the A-League for another season and scoring 20 goals could earn talented young Australian forwards a place at next year’s World Cup.
Chelsea sink champions Liverpool, Man Utd crash at Brentford
Chelsea improved their chances of qualifying for the Champions League with a vital 3-1 victory over Liverpool, while Manchester United’s winless league run reached six games.