Brisbane Roar will line up against a PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 Select side in the final game of the club’s Hyundai A-League pre-season.
The match is a joint initiative between Brisbane Roar and Football Queensland, designed to provide an opportunity to Queensland’s best young prospects to showcase their ability against the state’s sole Hyundai A-League team.
The fixture will take place at Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) at Nathan on Saturday, 24 September (3pm KO). ENTRY IS FREE.
It will be the second year running that the Roar will face Queensland’s best young prospects from the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues, which serves as Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) talented player pathway.
The 2015 edition was a resounding success as former Western Pride player Harrison Sawyer impressed for the PS4 NPL QLD U23 Select squad and joined the Young Roar ranks shortly after.
The Roar have benefited and provided a pathway for a number of talented young footballers with the likes of Joey Champness (above) (Moreton Bay United), defender Hayden Mchenery (Western Pride) and winger Jayden Prasad (Redlands United) now establishing themselves in the Young Roar squad.
Prasad has praised the opportunities the PS4 NPL pathway has provided.
“If it wasn’t for the NPL I wouldn’t be where I am now,” he said.
“I was fortunate enough to have a great club [Redlands United] and people around me who supported me and always pushed me to be able to take my game to the next level.”
Prasad (below) has thrived since his arrival at the Roar and has been rewarded with the opportunity to complete pre-season training with the senior squad.
The Young Roar attacker has featured in a number of the club’s pre-season matches including a second-half cameo off the bench against Sydney FC on Saturday.
“I’ve learnt so much already in my short time with the senior squad and being around all the boys with the experience they have is only going to help me improve,” Prasad said.
“It’s definitely a big step up from playing NPL. It’s a lot quicker and the game is always being played at a high tempo.
“It’s been a dream experience and hope I can continue to play at that level.”
Gold Coast City FC Coach Grae Piddick has been charged with the role of leading the PS4 NPL QLD U23 select squad.
The match will be the Roar’s final pre-season game before the Hyundai A-League season opener against Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium on October 7.
The Roar also have remaining pre-season games in Brisbane against a Football Brisbane Flight Centre Premier League Select squad on Saturday, 27 August and Central Coast Mariners on September 10.
Senior squad member Tommy Oar (above) believes the Roar’s full pre-season schedule will pay dividends as the Hyundai A-League season progresses.
“We are always working hard at training and looking to improve as a group, but these games in pre-season are the real test,” Oar said.
“To get as many games before Round One against Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium can only be a good thing for us.”
Exhibition Match
Brisbane Roar FC v PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 Select
Saturday, September 24
Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Brisbane
3pm kick off
ENTRY IS FREE
