Brisbane Roar Youth Coach John Sime has named a 15 player squad that will contest the upcoming National Youth League season, which kicks off on Saturday afternoon at Cleveland Showgrounds at 4pm.
Brisbane Roar Youth Coach John Sime has named a 15 player squad that will contest the upcoming National Youth League season, which kicks off on Saturday afternoon at Cleveland Showgrounds at 4pm.
The 2010/11 NYL campaign saw Brisbane Roar finish in a disappointing sixth place on the ladder following a strong start, but returning captain Chris Bush was confident his coach had put together a squad ready for the challenge that awaits them.
“We-ve got a good bunch of boys this year and I really think we can give the title a good shot,” Bush said.
“The squad is looking really good this year, a lot more depth and we-ve got good, skilful attacking boys up front and in the midfield and our defence is looking rock solid too”.
With half of the squad training regularly alongside the Hyundai A-League players under the guidance of Head Coach Ange Postecoglou in addition to their NYL commitments, the 19-year-old explained Sime-s football philosophy was very similar to Postecoglou-s.
“It-s definitely our aim to play exactly like the first team,” he said.
“Everything we do at first team training is exactly how we do things at youth team training so we-ll be looking to implement the same tactics and replicate that in our games”.
The first test for the National Youth League squad comes in the form of a local derby against Gold Coast United, the competition-s Premiers for the past two seasons.
With the skipper-s band on his arm, Bush was looking forward to steering his side into what he hopes is an opening day victory over the club-s biggest rivals.
“It-s going to be tough but it-s nothing that we can-t overcome and we are feeling confident going into the game,” he said.
“This year is my second season at the Roar and last year was a real learning curve for me.
“I-m looking forward to leading the youth team again and we-re hoping for another big season”.
Brisbane Roar 2011/12 National Youth League squad: Matt ACTON, Ross ARCHIBALD, Jack BLADEN, Brandon BORRELLO, Corey BROWN, Chris BUSH, Tom CIRJAK, James DONACHIE, Kenneth DOUGALL, James ECCLES, Nick FITZGERALD, Jason, GERIA, George LAMBADARIDIS, Alistair QUINN, Matt THURTELL
Brisbane Roar vs Gold Coast United
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Cleveland Showgrounds, Waterloo Street, Cleveland
Kick-off: 4.00pm
Ticket prices: $5 for adults, $2 for children under 15, students, pensioners
