Brisbane Roar’s new signing Thomas Kristensen has completed his first training session with his new teammates at Nathan this morning.
After arriving from Europe yesterday Kristensen was impressed with the intensity at training today and believes the squad has a good mix of youth and experience.
“It was nice to be out on the pitch with my new teammates,” Kristensen said.
“I think we have a really good mix of young talent and experienced players.
“The group trained with high-intensity today which is very good to see so early in our pre-season.”
Tomorrow the Western Sydney Wanderers will host the Brisbane Roar at Robina’s CBUS Super Stadium behind closed doors in what will be the Kristensen’s first time watching his new side play.
The Danish international is looking forward to seeing his team in action and learning more about the Roar’s style of play and what Head Coach John Aloisi expects from the side.
“I am looking forward to seeing the players up close in the game tomorrow and learn how they move,” Kristensen said.
“It is important to see how the team and the coach [John Aloisi]Â would like us to play.Â
“I have only seen footage of the team online so it will be exciting to see the team play live.”
Let’s test your knowledge of Australia, do you know our capital city and Australia’s population?
- “I know the capital city is Canberra and I think you have 22 or 23 Million people living here. I know that most people live on the coastline too.”
Do you know many of our major cities?
- “Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane are some I believe. I know Cairns too because of the Great Barrier Reef.”
What’s your first impression of people and the culture here in Australia?
- “People have been very welcoming and friendly when greeting me so far. It is a new adventure for myself and my family we definitely want to embrace the Australian way of life.”
What about your family are they excited to come to Australia?
- “They can’t wait to get here. My son Oscar is really looking forward to coming to Australia, he’s talking a lot about the Kangaroos and all the dangerous animals that live here.”
You are our new #7 what is your favourite playing number?
- “Actually, #7 was the number I had as a youth player. When I started as a professional footballer I asked for #7 but it was no chance because I was a young player. I was given #16 and I kept that at FC Copenhagen. But I am very glad to have #7 again, as my son is currently 7 years old.”
Are you friends with the other Danish footballers that play in the Hyundai A-League?
- “I Face-timed Morten [Nordstrand] yesterday and we talked for about an hour about many things.  He was checking how I was dealing with the time difference here and then obviously telling me about the heat and how hot the summers are. When we get to play against Melbourne City I would definitely like to catch up with Thomas [Sorensen] also.”
To now have three Danish footballers playing here, do you see yourself as a pioneer for Danish football?
- “I think Morten and Thomas have made Danish players aware of football in Australia and have definitely paved the way for more players to want to come here. Â I believe they performed really well last season too, Morten has scored some important goals in the short time he has been here and Thomas was voted goalkeeper of the year last season.”
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