Brisbane Roar, alongside radio station 96five, will raise funds for an Afghani refugee family struck by tragedy at this weekend’s pre-season match against University of Queensland at St Lucia.
Brisbane Roar, alongside radio station 96five, will raise funds for an Afghani refugee family struck by tragedy at this weekend-s pre-season match against University of Queensland at St Lucia.
17-year-old Mohammad Ali has been left to support his mother and five siblings after his taxi driver father died in a tragic accident on 14 July.
Ali-s family has been in Australia for eleven years, arriving to the country by boat after fleeing their native Afghanistan and living in Iran temporarily.
The Yeronga State High student admits he struggles juggling school commitments and work while trying to ensure there is enough money in the bank to pay his family-s bills.
Upon hearing the news, Brisbane Roar decided to play their final pre-season fixture in honour of Mohammad and his family, where the teenager will feature prior to kick-off doing the coin-toss.
“It-s pretty exciting because I never knew I had the support of this many people behind me to help me,” Ali said.
“I don-t know how to thank everyone enough but I am so thankful.
“The last two months we haven-t done much or travelled anywhere so it-s good for my mum to get out of the house to watch the football.
“It-s pretty exciting news for me and I-m really looking forward to it, I can-t wait until Saturday.”
A keen football fan, Mohammad was also a guest at Brisbane Roar-s training session this morning – watching from the sidelines before sharing his experiences off the pitch with the club-s new captain Matt Smith and Bahraini centre-back Mohammed Adnan.
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dnan paid tribute to the strong character of the youngster and said the squad was looking forward to representing him on the field in Saturday-s game.
“It is our job to go out there and make people happy, but if we have to play at 200 per cent instead of 100 per cent for Mohammad then that-s what we will do,” Adnan said.
“I spoke to him about being a good man and doing that for his father.
“We are happy to be able to help Mohammad and his family.”
Brisbane Roar will play Brisbane Premier League side University of Queensland on Saturday 24 September at Field 3, St Lucia campus. Kick off is at 3pm.
For those who can-t make it down to the game on Saturday and want to donate to the family an everyday hero page is set up at: www.everydayhero.com.au/96fivebrisbaneroar. All gifts are tax deductible.
