BRISBANE Roar are set to field weakened teams in potentially crucial AFC Champions League and A-League matches after Football Federation Australia’s refusal to push back the club’s February 11 match against Melbourne City at AAMI Park.

Providing, as expected, they beat either Global FC (Philippines) or Tampines Rovers (Singapore) on January 31 at Suncorp Stadium, the Roar will play Shanghai Shenhua in a Champions League playoff in China on February 8.

Despite FFA guidelines that clubs must be allowed three full days between games, FFA won’t reschedule the Roar’s A-League clash against Melbourne City, which kicks off less than 72 hours after Brisbane’s likely game in China.

The Roar squad won’t arrive in Melbourne until the afternoon of the day before their clash against City.

ROAR’S FOCUS STARTING TO SLIP

John Aloisi is set to put his players first. Photo: Jodie Richter Source: News Corp Australia

Fearing for his players’ health and welfare, Roar coach John Aloisi is unlikely to field full-strength teams in either match, therefore compromising both competitions.

Adding to the Roar’s problems is Brandon Borrello’s selection in an Australian under-23 squad for a meaningless tournament in Hong Kong in late January and early February, a busy period for the Brisbane club.

A-League boss Greg O’Rourke said scheduling national competition matches during the Champions League period was a challenge.

FFA had asked the Asian Football Confederation to return the likely Roar-Shanghai Shenhua match to its original Tuesday, February 7 date but the AFC refused “due to the impact any changes would have to other participating clubs”.

Borrello’s absence will further weaken Aloisi’s side. Pic: Darren England. Source: News Corp Australia

“It should be noted that over the last two seasons the seven matches played overseas involving A-League clubs during the A-League season have all been played with a three-day turnaround so this ruling is consistent with all recent decisions around (Champions League) schedules,” O’Rourke said.

“Scheduling matches around the AFC Champions League is one of the many challenges faced when putting together the Hyundai A-League draw. Normal constraints around venue availability and broadcast optimisation are further tested when AFC Champions League fixtures are played internationally and where the teams and the country of fixture are unknown until well into the HAL season.

“This is the nature of the AFC Champions League and was further compounded this year when AFC moved the game back a day.”

“FFA has decided to retain the original Hyundai A-League draw to avoid disrupting the other three clubs that would be impacted if Melbourne City’s home match against Brisbane Roar was to be switched with the Western Sydney Wanderers v Central Coast Mariners match, which is scheduled for Sunday, as is the Westfield W-League grand final.”