Farina wants Christmas gift for fans
Frank Farina wants to give Queensland Roar fans the Christmas gift they crave, a win against the Newcastle Jets at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night.
Sunday-s match will be the Roar-s final appearance before Christmas with the fixture on December 20 against Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium postponed due to the South Australian side-s participation in the Club World Cup in Japan.
The Roar coach said it was important to back up the round 12 win against Perth with another home win to maintain the team-s momentum and reward the supporters for their loyalty to the cause.
“It-s very important,” Farina said. “Not only for the side and where we-re positioned on the ladder but I think for our supporters.
“We haven-t given them enough this year, it-s as simple as that.
“Following on from a good win against Perth we need to have another one.”
With the Jets propping up the Hyundai A-League ladder, Farina said the visitors- desperation would make them a difficult opponent.
“They need a win,” he said. “Anything but a win is not good enough for them.
“We-re in the same situation, if we-re serious about climbing up to the top of the table we-ve got to win as well.”
Following a training session on the re-laid Suncorp Stadium pitch this morning, Farina was delighted with the surface.
“It-s magnificent, the players have no problems with it,” he said. “You could play on it now if you wanted to.”
However, star midfielder Charlie Miller-s condition remains a concern for Farina, with the Scotsman struggling to overcome his hernia worries ahead of the match.
Farina said Miller could start on the bench, but would make a final decision as late as Sunday.
Certain to start is captain Craig Moore, who turned 33 today, who will look to help himself to a belated birthday present on Sunday by beating the Jets.
Moore said two 1-1 draws on the road had left the team a little bit disappointed.
“We-ve been in positions in those games where we really could have finished games off,” Moore said.
“Hopefully we can get in a strong position and kill the game off.
“At any stage this season it-s never been our intention to sit back on a lead.
“It-s important for us to go out there and win our games, worry about ourselves and with that hopefully we can put a little bit of pressure on the teams above us.”
Queensland Roar-s match against the Newcastle Jets kicks off at 6pm, Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.