Strikers captain McLean promises full-blooded approach against City
Jake McLean has promised Brisbane Strikers will take the game to Melbourne City in Tuesday evening's FFA Cup Semi Final.
The Strikers host the Hyundai A-League heavyweights at Perry Park looking to become the first National Premier Leagues club to reach the Final since the competition began in 2014.
And although the Brisbane-based club - who finished fifth on the NPL Queensland ladder in 2019 - are underdogs for the visit of Erick Mombaerts' side, McLean says his side will not adopt a conservative approach.
“We want to take the game to them straight out of the gate and not take a backward step,” McLean declared.
“We know if we sit off and invite pressure it will allow their players to have a lot of time on the ball and build their way into the game and that won’t do any good.
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“Everyone knows that Brisbane Strikers likes to play a positive brand of football and that we back our ability in every game we play.”
“That doesn’t change whether it is in the NPL, the FFA Cup or any other competition – we play our football to win.”
Brisbane have already claimed one Hyundai A-League scalp in this year's tournament following their penalty shootout victory over Wellington Phoenix in the Round of 32.
McLean sees no reason why they cannot replicate the feat at 7.30pm tonight in Queensland.
“All our games so far this year have been tough, and we recognise that Melbourne City are a bit higher calibre again,” he said.
“But, at the end of the day, it is our eleven men against their eleven men. We are looking to compete and win our battles across the field.
“We are focused on the job at hand and not getting ahead of ourselves but at the same time we recognise the possibilities of this game.
“To be the first National Premier Leagues team in the FFA Cup Final would be huge and something that would be forever remembered as the competition continues to grow in future years.”
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