Playing against a team from your hometown always adds a little bit of extra incentive, according to Brisbane Roar Youth midfielder George Lambadaridis.
Playing against a team from your hometown always adds a little bit of extra incentive, according to Brisbane Roar Youth midfielder George Lambadaridis.
The 19-year-old will return from a two-week stint on the sidelines with minor muscle tear to play in this weekend-s historic National Youth League clash against Melbourne Heart, the first time these two teams will do battle following the Victorian club-s introduction to the competition this season.
“I know some of the boys there, some of them quite well but there are a few younger boys in the squad too,” he said.
“We-re playing here in Brisbane but it-s always good to be playing against your hometown team and we-ll be playing for the win.
“My injury only kept me out for a week and the second week was just preventative really, just making sure I fully recovered.”
Lambadardis played all his formative years in Melbourne for South Eastern Piranhas before taking up an 18-month stint with the youth academy of Belgium-s FC Brugge.
Earlier this year, he returned to Australia to join Head Coach John Sime and the rest of the Brisbane Roar Youth squad in their quest for a maiden NYL title.
The flight home to Melbourne is now much shorter than in the past and the versatile midfielder said after the time spent overseas as a youngster has made Brisbane a comfortable choice for a second home.
Lambadaridis lives within walking distance to Ballymore Stadium as a boarder and admits he-s very relaxed in his new surroundings.
“Spending all that time in Belgium, I-ve got a bit of experience living out of home,” he said.
“Even though I-m from Melbourne, living in Brisbane still feels like home.”
The experience of playing at FC Brugge has prepared Lambadaridis well for the challenge posed by joining a club with such a staunch football philosophy.
“It was actually very similar, we played a very similar formation to what we play here at the Roar,” he said.
“The philosophy is a little different though, Ange [Postecoglou] wants to play more of a short passing game here and I really enjoy playing here.”
Brisbane Roar face Melbourne Heart on Sunday, 11 November 2011 at Cleveland Showgrounds, Waterloo Street, Cleveland. Kick-off is at 3pm. Entry is free for Brisbane Roar members, adults $5 and concession/child $2.
