Head first: The Roar's Mitch Nichols has the better of Heart's Marcel Meeuwis in this contest on Sunday. Photo: Getty Images
After 26 rounds of stuttering football, coaching changes, Asian disappointment then a late-season surge, the fortune of the Brisbane Roar has come down to the most basic of equations: Win and they're in.
Brisbane's impressive 2-0 victory over an outmatched Melbourne Heart at Suncorp Stadium has given the Roar the power of life and death as they prepare to host Sydney FC in a blockbuster Thursday night showdown.
With goals to Besart Berisha and Thomas Broich, the twice defending champions have leapfrogged the Sky Blues and head into Thursday's battle in Brisbane in fifth spot, with a superior goal difference nudging Sydney into sixth.
Still alive: Besart Berisha's goal helped keep the Roar's finals hopes alive. Photo: Getty Images
Perth and Newcastle (seventh and eighth) can both feature in the post-season if they defeat Adelaide or the Wanderers but the Roar, or Sydney, can put themselves out of harm's way with full points.
Even a draw could be enough for the Roar, with their plus two goal difference a massive asset heading into a mad scramble for the finals. Sydney FC have no such luxury, lugging a minus eight goal difference into the final round.
Brisbane coach Mike Mulvey wasn't contemplating any maths after a largely one-sided defeat of the Heart, who responded much more sternly in the second half but now begin the post-mortem of their season.
“All I'm concerned about is putting two halves of football and repelling the challenge of Sydney FC. If we do that, we don't have to worry about anything else,” Mulvey said.
Brisbane turned in their best half of the season to leave the Heart hapless. The Melbourne side, needing a win to keep their finals hopes alive, barely touched the ball.
A contentious penalty in the 12th minute didn't win any praise from Heart coach John Aloisi but it gave Brisbane a 1-0 lead. Broich's searing drive in the 31st minute was far more pleasing to the eye.
Mulvey loved the first half but was far less enthused in the second, where the intensity dropped and the chances began to lessen. At least they made it off the park before a massive storm arrived.
“First half, I cannot give the boys enough praise. We could have come in with a bigger cushion. We didn't become complacent. We just stopped doing the things we did well in the first half,” Mulvey said.
Aloisi wasn't happy with the penalty ruled against Samuel Mitchinson for his contact with Ivan Franjic but conceded his side was well beaten. And he said finals rivals should be on notice if the Roar can put themselves in the running.
“They're hitting form at the right time. There's a few that are in the six that probably aren't in the best of form. If Brisbane make it, I think they can give it a real shake,” Aloisi said.
“It doesn't matter where you finish this year. They've got the experience, they've got the players, Broich is looking his old self again and that's always a good sign. I think they've got a good chance if they make the finals.”
Socceroo defender Jade North could be available for Thursday night, depending on how much time he sees (if any) in the World Cup qualifier against Oman in Sydney on Tuesday.
North has told Mulvey he wants to play regardless and his presence at the back would be a substantial boost against the great Alessandro Del Piero.
The finals contenders
Western Sydney Wanderers (54)
Central Coast Mariners (48)
Melbourne Victory (41)
Adelaide United (40)
Brisbane Roar (32)
Sydney FC (32)
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Perth Glory (31)
Newcastle Jets (31)
The games that decide the finals…
Roar v Sydney (Thursday)
Newcastle v Wanderers (Friday)
Perth v Adelaide (Saturday)
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