ID :
210868
Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/210868
The shortlink copeid
Roar can get better, says Theoklitos
SYDNEY (AAP) - Oct. 03 - They've lost inspirational skipper Matt McKay and picked up new imports but Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos warns the A-League champions can be even better this season.
While the arrival of Harry Kewell at Melbourne Victory and Brett Emerton at Sydney FC has dominated pre-season headlines, grand final hero Theoklitos boldly declared on Monday that the Roar intend to resume dominance when the season kicks off at the weekend.
"I want the focus on us and I want us to have the headlines," said Theoklitos.
"I don't believe in this flying under the radar, underdog thing.
"We won the championship last year, deservedly so, and we want to go in this year thinking we are the best team again."
Roar coach Ange Postecoglou is preparing to unveil his new recruits including 26-year-old Albanian international striker Besart Berisha, Canadian international Iffey Nakajima-Farran and Bahrain-born central defender Mahamed Adnan.
And Theoklitos was confident they had plenty to contribute.
"Ange has brought in some quality players and while it may take them a little time to fit into the way we play and the Australian culture I think they'll hit the ground running," said Theoklitos ahead of Saturday's first round grand final re-match with the Central Coast at Suncorp Stadium.
"The new boys have gelled in well with the rest of the boys and they're adapting well to the way we want to play and to our structures."
He welcomed the arrival of Kewell and Emerton in the league, saying the 2011-12 season should be the most exciting.
"By far ... for Emmo and Harry to come back it's great for the game," he said.
"Everyone's excited. It's good for the league, it lifts the standard up and hopefully other Socceroos will look at that and come back at the end of their careers.
"It's exciting, everyone's talking about the start of the A-League."
Theoklitos says last season's Roar feats - which included going a record 28 games straight without a loss - would be "past history" when the first round kicked off.
He didn't rule out the possibility of fireworks given things got very willing in an epic grand final in which he and the Central Coast's Daniel McBreen clashed.
"We played them several times last season and they didn't get the better of us and we want to keep it that way," said Theoklitos.
While the arrival of Harry Kewell at Melbourne Victory and Brett Emerton at Sydney FC has dominated pre-season headlines, grand final hero Theoklitos boldly declared on Monday that the Roar intend to resume dominance when the season kicks off at the weekend.
"I want the focus on us and I want us to have the headlines," said Theoklitos.
"I don't believe in this flying under the radar, underdog thing.
"We won the championship last year, deservedly so, and we want to go in this year thinking we are the best team again."
Roar coach Ange Postecoglou is preparing to unveil his new recruits including 26-year-old Albanian international striker Besart Berisha, Canadian international Iffey Nakajima-Farran and Bahrain-born central defender Mahamed Adnan.
And Theoklitos was confident they had plenty to contribute.
"Ange has brought in some quality players and while it may take them a little time to fit into the way we play and the Australian culture I think they'll hit the ground running," said Theoklitos ahead of Saturday's first round grand final re-match with the Central Coast at Suncorp Stadium.
"The new boys have gelled in well with the rest of the boys and they're adapting well to the way we want to play and to our structures."
He welcomed the arrival of Kewell and Emerton in the league, saying the 2011-12 season should be the most exciting.
"By far ... for Emmo and Harry to come back it's great for the game," he said.
"Everyone's excited. It's good for the league, it lifts the standard up and hopefully other Socceroos will look at that and come back at the end of their careers.
"It's exciting, everyone's talking about the start of the A-League."
Theoklitos says last season's Roar feats - which included going a record 28 games straight without a loss - would be "past history" when the first round kicked off.
He didn't rule out the possibility of fireworks given things got very willing in an epic grand final in which he and the Central Coast's Daniel McBreen clashed.
"We played them several times last season and they didn't get the better of us and we want to keep it that way," said Theoklitos.
