A really long halftime break — that is what Brisbane Roar have called this week to ensure they don’t switch off before the second leg of the semi-final against Wellington.
The Roar take a 2-1 lead into the match but this time around they won’t have more than 3500 fans cheering for them and they will be playing in much tougher conditions in Wellington.
On the line is a spot in the A-League’s Women’s final — an opportunity Roar haven’t had for 12 years.
Midfielder Alicia Woods knows better than most of her teammates what it means to the club to be within reach of that.
She was just 10 the last time Roar achieved the feat — they went on to lose the 2013/14 final to Victory 0-2.
Woods has been a Roar fan for as long as she can remember.
Roar have won the title once — back in 2009. They then played in five of the first seven ALW finals and haven’t featured since.
Just one player from the era remains in the squad — Woods’ mentor Tameka Yallop.
“They had like half the Matildas squad playing for them (in 2009),” Woods said.
“It was such a strong squad and it’s just so nice to be back in that environment where we have a strong squad again and we’re really a team to not underestimate,” Woods said.
This season is Woods’ third with the Roar.
Playing finals has always been the dream. It was on the cards last season until a horror string of injuries left them outside the top six.
Injuries hit the team hard again this season but they were better prepared this time.
“It was a bit of a ride there for a second but I think as soon as we lost a few of those games everyone realised the reality of it and from that day we’ve been playing finals it feels like,” Woods said.
“Those last three or four games of the season where we had to just dig deep and get those last points.”
Woods said the journey had set them up perfectly for the finals series and had the team in a really good headspace and able to deal with the challenge presented by the two-legged semi-final.
“It’s definitely a bit of a challenge because it’s hard to celebrate that (2-1) win, the elimination final. We were all stoked but this one is a bit awkward because there’s still another game,” Woods said.
“We look at it like we’ve just played the first half, now we have to play the second half.
“And it’s the most important one.”
The first leg was a battle – Roar went down first and managed to claw back a draw before Daisy Brown found the winner in the 72nd minute.
“Wellington are a great team, they’ve got good systems in place and you obviously don’t come that close to winning the premiership without being a good team,” Woods said.
“They’re going to be tough to beat but I don’t doubt that the girls can go there and show up like we did the other night.
“We are just excited to be in this position and to have the opportunity to take Brisbane all the way to the grand final again.
Brisbane Roar will play Wellington Phoenix on Sunday at 12.30pm (AEST).