Jade North has made little secret of his side’s goal for the upcoming season, with Brisbane Roar’s sights firmly set on the A-League championship.
Brisbane reached the semi-final stage of the 2015-16 season, falling to Western Sydney Wanderers at Parramatta Stadium after spurning a 3-0 advantage.
That match ended 4-4 in normal time, but a Dario Vidosic goal in extra time sent the Wanderers through to the grand final.
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Brisbane will seek to arrest that disappointment in Friday’s A-League season opener at Suncorp Stadium against Melbourne Victory, who Roar knocked out of last campaign’s finals series in dramatic circumstances.
And this season, North says Roar have the right blend of squad talent to go one better.
“We’ve had a long preseason to gel as a team and we couldn’t be more ready,” North said.
“Melbourne Victory in the first game of the new season is going to be tough battle, but all the boys are ready to go.
“The Victory are a good football team, they’re going to be a different outfit without [Asian] Champions League football this season.
“The goal is to win the league just as all the other clubs would be hoping to do.
“We have really good depth in our squad with talented young players to complement our important experienced leaders.
“It’s a great mix and we’re going to be really well prepared again this season and hopefully we can go one step further than last season.”
Off the field, Brisbane have endured a tumultuous preseason, with then managing director Daniel Cobb handed his marching orders by owners the Bakrie Group. Cobb had looked set to make a play at the club ownership.
The club has faired better in the recruitment stakes, with John Aloisi adding Thomas Kristensen, Jacob Pepper, Joey Katebian and former Socceroo Brett Holman to his squad.
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