Brisbane Roar head coach Michael Valkanis was asked on Thursday whether or not his aim was to play a brand of football that excites fans – his response couldn’t have been clearer.
Valkanis’ side head into Sunday’s Round 4 clash with Newcastle Jets sat sixth on the ladder after a start to the new Isuzu UTE A-League season which has seen them garner four points from their opening three matches.
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That total could have been even more were it not for a dramatic last gasp defeat to Wellington Phoenix in Round 2 at Sky Stadium.
However, despite his side’s competitive start to the campaign, much of the narrative around Brisbane Roar has been about their playing style, and in particular, their physicality.
So when asked whether or not his aim was to play an attacking brand of football that entertains the fans, Valkanis didn’t mince his words when it came to detailing where his priorities lay.
“I want to play a brand of football that wins games.”
The Roar head north this weekend, swapping Suncorp Stadium for the Sunshine Coast where they’ll face the Newcastle Jets.
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“It was an amazing atmosphere, last time we were here, it was close to a sell-out back then,” said Valkanis, when referencing the club’s pre-season hit-out against Central Coast Mariners.
“So the atmosphere, the way the people from Sunny Coast support us, was absolutely amazing.
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“The boys are looking forward to that as well. That again this Sunday that everyone turns up, and I’ve heard it’s close to a sell out.
“So hopefully it is a sellout and they get right behind us, they get really loud, and they become a 12th man for us, because it’s going to be a special game, an important game.”
Standing in their way are a Newcastle Jets side no doubt still reeling from a 4-1 humbling at the hands of Sydney FC in Round 3.
“Yeah, they’re they’re an interesting team,” said Valkanis when asked what he’s expecting from the 2025 Australia Cup winners.
“They’ve scored a lot of goals, but also conceded a lot of goals. They like a lot of the ball.
“We’ve done our homework on them, and we’ve prepared thoroughly today, again tomorrow, and we’ll be ready to go.”
