Pitch posed problem for Lions' FFA bid
Stirling Lions’ bid to overcome the odds against A-League champions Brisbane Roar in the FFA Cup last night was hampered by the choice of venue, according to visiting coach Mike Mulvey.
A little of the Cup’s romance was lost when NPL WA clubs Stirling and Bayswater City were both forced to move matches away from their regular home grounds, which were deemed not up to standard for the nationwide knockout competition.
The decision to play at the WA Athletics Stadium – home of NPL WA club Subiaco – attracted the ire of many local soccer fans.
The running track around the pitch leaves fans in the main grandstand sitting about 30m away from the action.
Despite the choice of venue and relatively high ticket prices when compared to other FFA Cup matches around the country, a respectable crowd of 1152 was on hand last night as Brisbane ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.
The locals were enthusiastic in the stands, but Mulvey felt their impact on the contest was reduced.
“I think we were helped by the fact the fans were about 40m from the ground, so they couldn’t affect the atmosphere,” Mulvey said.
“That negated some of the advantage that the home team probably had.”
Stirling nearly took a surprise lead in the 11th minute when Hayden Doyle’s low right-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area crashed into the post.
Speedy striker Moses Kalau was causing problems and tested Brisbane goalkeeper Michael Theo with a swerving free kick.
But the Lions couldn’t find the breakthrough they were after and were eventually overrun in the second half.
Brisbane opened the scoring through the acrobatic Henrique before the break and goals to Corey Brown, Matt Smith and substitute Jean Carlos Solorzano settled the contest.
Mulvey praised Stirling’s positive approach to the match under coach Gary Williams.
“I was pleased that they tried to play football,” Mulvey said.
“I thought they tried to play the right way and I give them full credit for the way that they tried to play football against us, rather than resort to what a lot of teams do, which is just sit back and wait for us to make a mistake.
“They did that to a certain extent, but they were adventurous. They tried to play and tried to play out from the back.”
Brisbane joined fellow A-League clubs Perth Glory, Sydney FC and Adelaide United in the round-of-16, with the draw to be
conducted on Friday.
Mulvey said he enjoyed travelling to WA, but was hopeful of drawing a home game in the next round.
“I think we’ve done our travelling. We couldn’t have travelled any further in Australia, could we?“ Mulvey said.
“We’re happy to come to Western Australia, but I wouldn’t mind a home game for our fans.”
The FFA Cup round-of-32 will be completed tonight, with Bayswater hosting Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners visiting former NSL club South Coast Wolves.
