3 minute read

Ruben Zadkovich admires the fighting spirit shown by his Brisbane Roar side, but says starting fast and taking chances will be key against Melbourne Victory.

Brisbane Roar are undefeated at Suncorp Stadium under acting head coach Ruben Zadkovich but they will need all three points when they host Melbourne Victory.

The Roar play five of the top six A-League Men teams in their next sequence of games and go into the weekend on 22 points, five behind Sydney FC in sixth place.

Defensive lapses have been a constant issue, but under Zadkovich the Roar have shown grit and fight with two late equalisers at Suncorp salvaging draws in recent weeks - the latest a Jonas Markovski goal in the 92nd minute to secure a point against Western United last time out.

That never-say-die mentality will be needed against competition heavyweights Victory on Sunday.

"That (attitude) is a massive positive and something we speak about in-house a lot," Zadkovich said.

"We want to tap into our DNA and what has made the club great in the past.

"A lot of that revolves around hard work and that fighting-spirit mentality.

"We were disappointed with the first half (against United). We were sluggish and didn't get out of the blocks.

"But there was a real intensity to how we went about the second half and we created more than enough chances to win."

Striker Tom Waddingham, 18, has found the net four times in his last three games but could have scored more if he'd taken his opportunities.

"He's a young Queensland talent with a lot to improve," Zadkovich said

"We are working Monday to Friday on a lot of different areas technically but he has a knack in front of goal and is very good with anything inside the box.

"He is a good kid as well. He is humble and we are trying to keep his feet on the ground. It will be nice for him to keep going with that run."