Memories to flood back in AFC clash
JOHN Aloisi renews acquaintances with Ceres-Negros goalkeeper Toni Doblas tonight and this time it’s the Brisbane Roar coach who intends on having the last laugh.
The Roar host Doblas’ Filipino club in an AFC Champions League playoff clash at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.
It comes 13 years after Aloisi and Doblas went head to head in the 2005 Spanish Copa del Rey final.
It proved a bittersweet experience for Aloisi. He scored for Osasuna but Doblas’s Real Betis won 2-1 in extra time.
“That was the biggest match of my European club career,” Aloisi said.
“It was also my last match for Osasuna before I joined Alaves, so it’s a game I will never forget. The atmosphere was incredible.”
While the atmosphere tonight won’t go close to matching the tone of that final, Aloisi is predicting a similarly strong display from the now 37-yearold Doblas.
“I do remember him very well. He’s a good keeper and he’s got a lot of experience now,” Aloisi said.
Ceres-Negros coach Risto Vidakovic, himself a former Osasuna player, predicted Doblas would play a big role if his side was to cause an upset.
“He’s an experienced goalkeeper … he’s played these kind of games,” Vidakovic said.
“I think he can bring us control during the game, especially when we play (away) against bigger clubs like Brisbane. He can give us a lot.”
Vidakovic said anything his team achieved tonight would be a “bonus”. “It is a new experience to play this,” he said.