Asia, the vital next step for the Roar

By Paul Frederickson

If the Brisbane Roar can't win in Asia then the club is stalling in its progress and ambitions.

Thomas Broich making his point in the ACL

The Brisbane Roar have won two Premiers Plates and three Championships in the short history of the A-League. A very successful period started by Ange Postecoglou and re-vamped by Mike Mulvey caught the Australian football world's attention. So much so that Ange was tempted back to Melbourne with the Victory before taking on the Socceroos coaching role. Is this enough to satisfy the footballing public? No, not in a state and country divided by four competing football codes. Even with all of the club's recent efforts the club membership has only reached 10,000 for the first time before the start of the 2014/15 season.

Asian success and exposure on a larger stage should be the catalyst for the Roar to become one of the biggest clubs in Asia and in turn Australia.

The challenge for the best team in the first decade of the A-League is to not only aim for Asian success this season but to have sustained Asian Champions League success. This was not close to occurring in our previous stint in Asia's premier club competition. Three draws and three losses and a qualifying loss to Thailand Buriram United for the 2013 competition, in a game where the club gave away home ground advantage, does not make for pleasant reading. Asian success will attract a new breed of players, sponsors and fans outside of Australia. You only have to view European clubs tours of the far reaching corners of Asia to see the financial benefits associated.

2012 AFC Champions League Table Group F

It is easy to say that the Brisbane Roar need to be successful in Asia this season, but how can it be done? Home results would be a great place to start. With Suncorp Stadium a fortress for Brisbane in the A-League in recent years they have to translate the, "they shall not pass" mentality to the Asian game. Home wins and away draws, or at the very least don't be beaten at home should be the overriding mantra.

Brisbane Roar overall home record at Suncorp Stadium 

The style of play that the Roar have played in recent years has been based on possession and a steady build up that can be translated to the Asian forum. It is the inflexibility of both recent mentors to not alter their game plans in games that were not going the Roar's way that cost vital Asian Champions League points. Whilst it is commendable to trust that their style will ultimately win the day this can be a naive approach in uncharted group competitions.Winning ugly in qualification is not a sin, results before style will go a long way to ensuring supporters attend home Asian Champions League games as well.

A lack of success in Asia cannot be tolerated. Success should be demanded as we have seen with Adelaide United and more recently with the Western Sydney Wanderers. We have the players and mentors to win consistently in Asian competitions but until that happens we are the biggest fish in a small bowl.

As always, go the Roar!