Brisbane Roar striker Besart Berisha is keen to continue his early pre-season form tomorrow night when his team travels to Underwood Park to play Brisbane Premier League club Rochedale Rovers.
Brisbane Roar striker Besart Berisha is keen to continue his early pre-season form tomorrow night when his team travels to Underwood Park to play Brisbane Premier League club Rochedale Rovers.
After his maiden Hyundai A-League season where he won the competition-s Golden Boot award with 21 goals and secured almost all of Brisbane Roar-s club awards including Members- Player of the Year, Players- Player of the Year and Gary Wilkins Player of the Year, Berisha knows the pressure will be on for him to keep performing, even before the proper season begins.
Berisha has scored five times in three games against local opposition – including a 15 minute hat-trick against Brisbane Olympic – but more importantly, feels fitter than he-s even been which makes for very promising news for all Brisbane Roar fans.
“It is very important to use this time to get prepared for the next season,” he said.
“The first three games were very successful and I scored some goals and I am very fit.
“It is always good to continue – not to stop, continue to work hard and score goals.
“For me, this is important and I am very happy that I have continued.
“The most important thing is that I feel very, very fit and this makes me happy after the long break.”
Born in Kosovo and raised in Germany, Berisha-s tough childhood was followed by a football career that saw him ping-pong through European leagues, including the English Championship, Danish Superliga and the German second division.
He signed for the Roar in August 2011 and the following February, in the midst of his record-breaking first Hyundai A-League season, the 27-year-old-s original season-long contract with the Roar was extended for another two years.
Comfort played a huge role in Berisha-s success in the 2011/12 season and it-s clear he is well-adjusted to Brisbane life, both on and off the pitch – something that extends to his fondness of the local football community.
“It-s really great, I missed some of pre-season last year so I love being back and seeing all the supporters who are looking forward to the next season,” he said.
“It-s always good playing local games because the supporters can see us playing around Brisbane and we get that feeling that the season is coming soon.
“For us players, personally, it-s been so good to see so many supporters to watch, get signings, have photos and talk to us.”
Brisbane Roar Head Coach Rado Vidosic is likely to field a strong outfit against the Rovers tomorrow night with former Roar defender Matt Mundy a probable starter for the home side.
Match details
Brisbane Roar vs Rochedale Rovers
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Underwood Park, Underwood Road, Underwood
7.15pm kick-off, gates open at 4.30pm
Player signing session from 5-6pm
Admission: Free of charge
For the kids: Roary, Rosie and Pauls Rapid Fire Fields from 4.30pm
