Holman out, Henrique in for City clash
FOOTBALL SUPER-SUB Henrique is poised to be elevated to Brisbane’s starting line-up after Brett Holman lost his battle to be fit for the Roar’s A-League elimination final against Melbourne City at AAMI Park tonight.
Forced off with a knee injury in the first half of the Roar’s 3-2 win over Perth Glory last Saturday night, playmaker Holman was given until yesterday to prove his fitness.
But the former Socceroos star could not train properly and did not travel to Melbourne.
Also remaining in Brisbane was defender Daniel Bowles, who will miss a second successive match due to an ankle injury.
Bowles’ unavailability means Connor O’Toole will again partner Jacob Pepper in the heart of Brisbane’s defence.
Had Holman been fit, he was no certainty to start following Henrique’s heroics in Perth, where he scored a brace after coming off the bench to replace Holman.
“Henrique’s a big game player … (he’s) especially shown here at Brisbane Roar that come finals time he seems to lift that extra bit,” Roar coach John Aloisi said.
The 32-year-old BrazilianAustralian livewire has scored in two of the Roar’s three grand final wins.
“He’ll just give everything he’s got – that’s Henrique,” Aloisi said.
“He’s still quick. It’s hard to catch him once he gets going and normally when he gets an opportunity he puts it away, so I’m sure he’ll be fine starting.”
While Henrique is poised to deliver, former Roar prodigy Dario Vidosic plans to hurt Brisbane at the other end of the park for Melbourne City.
Two years ago when playing for Western Sydney, Vidosic broke Roar hearts by scoring the winner in the Wanderers’ epic 5-4 semi-final victory over Brisbane at Pirtek Stadium.
“That was a crazy game,” Vidosic said.
“Unfortunately, we lost the grand final the week after against Adelaide. Now I might have another chance to win a grand final, this time with City, but we can’t look any further than the Roar.”
Vidosic, who made 17 appearances for the Roar before leaving in 2007 to join German outfit Nurnberg, said playing against Brisbane was now “just another game” for him.
editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost
PEPPI IOVANNELLA ALEX SRHOJ ZENON CARAVELLA KYLIE SABATINO