United keen to turn tables on Lions
NORTH Queensland United coach Michael Brooks is confident last week’s shock upset of Cairns FC will give them the self- belief to avoid another capitulation to Lions FC in Brisbane tonight.
Having won just once in their previous 14 National Premier League Queensland games, the 3- 1 win lifted NQU to within two points of climbing out of the relegation zone.
It snapped Cairns’ unbeaten run of 11 matches, but it only gets tougher against the league leaders tonight.
Lions FC thrashed NQU 6- 0 in Townsville just five weeks ago, but NQU has since opted to take a more aggressive approach into games as they look to avoid the drop.
“We looked at the footage of how we played them last time and we collectively didn’t play our best football,” Brooks said.
“Our passes were off, and our touches were off. Their pressure had something to do with it, but we just didn’t have a good day.
“If we put out the same performance we did last week we can be competitive, because Cairns were matching and beating tough opposition.
“We have to go in with the same mindset and go at them; they’ll get a bit of confidence ( out of last week).
“We’re hoping they can go into that game and we can pinch something.”
NQU will be without experienced defender Paul Kohler, who has been instrumental in helping solve their woes down back since he signed with the club late last month.
It has been offset by the return of attacking player Matthew Richards from injury.
“Paul showed that last week; when we started to get under the pump a bit he helped keep the boys calm and settled,” Brooks said.
“Losing his experience is going to be a big loss, but we’re not in bad shape.”
Brooks said he has been pleased with the impact off the bench from young attacking weapon Masimango Benjamin, who scored the match sealer at Cairns in added time.
NPL: Lions FC v North Queensland United at Lions Stadium at 6 tonight.