Brisbane Roar are desperate to get the better of Wellington Phoenix for the first time this season, knowing another loss to the Kiwi outfit on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium could prove to be disastrous in their bid to play finals football.
The Phoenix have the chance to complete a 2025-26 season clean sweep of the Roar, having beaten the Queenslanders 2-1 in October and 3-0 in January.
Another Phoenix win this weekend would move them three points clear of the out-of-form Roar, who haven’t tasted victory in the A-League since mid-January.
“It’s a must-win game for us to be able to achieve what we’ve set out from the very beginning (to finish in the top-six),” Roar coach Michael Valkanis said.
“We know we’ve been through our ups and downs, and we need to turn that around, and to do that we need to create opportunities and score goals.”
The Roar have only scored 21 times this season in 21 games. It’s the joint lowest goals tally alongside a Melbourne City outfit that has played one fewer match.
“That’s what’s been holding us a little bit back, just putting the ball in the back of the net,” Valkanis said.
“It’s not something you can just work on in one or two days, and hopefully it happens.
“It’s a little bit of confidence, it’s a little bit of believing and just creating as many chances as possible to score goals.”
Phoenix coach Chris Greenacre described the game as a “Cup final” such was the damage a defeat would cause either team.
“Every team has lacked consistency – we’re all in that similar boat,” Greenacre said.
“The team that becomes the most consistent will get their rewards at the end of the (season).”
The Roar have the added incentive of ensuring attacking weapon Henry Hore’s 100th appearance for the club in all competitions is celebrated in style.
“He’s level-headed, and really always humble with the way he goes about his football,” Valkanis said of Hore.
“Whether he’s winning or going through difficult moments, he’s the same, and that’s really important around the group.”
