Franjic talks up Roar chances
As the Hyundai A-League season comes into the business end of the competition there have been some question as to whether the reigning champions Brisbane Roar can go all the way once again this season.
However that does not seem to be a concern for Australia defender Ivan Franjic, who is more than confident in his side’s abilities despite their recent wobble at the end of the regular season.
Without a victory in their last two matches, the factor of knowing they are guaranteed finals football appears to have been their undoing and perhaps some complacency has crept into the side over the last couple of fixtures.
The Brisbane side that suffered a shock defeat in front of their home crowd to Central Coast performed at well below the standards we have come to expect from manager Mike Mulvey’s men, with his side going down 2-0 to the Mariners.
This has now raised concerns as to whether the lack of winning momentum going into the all or nothing sudden-death semi-finals will see Roar, who you can back with bet365, fall short in their goal to retain the A-League title this season.
Franjic has highlighted the threats his side are blessed with in their squad with the likes of Besart Berisha, Thomas Broich, Matty McKay and Liam Miller all capable of producing on the biggest stage in the competition and have proved that time and time again.
The 26-year-old Socceroos defender, who will be hoping to make the Australia squad for the World Cup this summer, has admitted his side may have taken the foot off the gas after securing their place in the finals but that is not to say they won’t be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to their clash on April 27, with however is the lowest-ranked winner to come through the elimination finals.
Franjic told www.footballaustralia.com.au: “We’ve known for the last six weeks we were going to be in the finals.
“It was obviously a disappointing result [against Mariners] but I thought we played well. If we keep playing like that 90% of the time we’ll win the game.
“On our day we’re unbeatable. If everyone’s firing and on our game, guys like Berisha, Broich, Matty McKay, Miller, these are great players and can beat any team when they’re on-song.
“We’re all very relaxed. We’ll have a good week of training and be ready to go next Sunday.”
Franjic’s comments do ring true with regards to the talent Roar have at their disposal and if the key personnel do get it right, then they certainly will take some stopping if they are to be denied the A-League crown this season.
The fact that many of this side have been there and done it before will play in their favour and with tactician Mulvey at the helm it will be tough for any side to stop them getting back to winning ways at the Suncorp Arena at the end of the month.