Brisbane Roar Youth will be put to the test this week as the travel down to Canberra to take on the AIS and will be keen to build on lat week’s gutsy 1-0 victory over the Gold Coast.
Now riding high at the top of the National Youth League ladder, Brisbane are desperate to maintain the stellar form against an AIS side that is only five points adrift, even though they have not played a Youth League fixture in over two weeks.
Roar head coach John Sime said that the AIS will be tough competition for his players; however he still believes that the Roar will come home with the points if they stick to the same formula that has seen them rise to the top of the competition.
“Although the AIS haven-t played a youth league fixture in a while, they have been involved in competitions overseas so they will be both fully fit and switched on,” Sime said.
“The AIS are renowned for having the better players from their age group, even though they are not attached to an A-League club they have very good players and are very well coached.”
Brisbane was fortunate to record a 3-2 win over the AIS when the sides last met in round two, however it will be a tougher environment this time around for the Roar as they play away from home.
Sime was impressed with how his side handled the AIS last time around, but he stresses that his players must give it their all if they are to get the three points.
“While we beat them 3-2 at home last time and in my opinion were the better side on the day, we got lazy towards the end which is something you can-t do in this competition,” Sime said.
“We trained well this week and I told the players they can-t go into a match expecting to win, we have to concentrate on putting in a good performance and getting the job done.”
Although cautious of going in over confident off the back of their win against the Gold Coast, Sime believes that a win this week will show his side is the team to beat.
“I think it will be good to see where we are now our feet are on the ground after last week-s win.
“We are back to normal again and unless we play well and put in a good performance against the AIS, last week-s win will be meaningless.”
Australian Institute of Sport v Brisbane Roar FC
Saturday 13 November 2.00 PM
AIS Athletics Track, Canberra
Referee: Greg Taylor
Brisbane Roar Youth squad: Matt ACTON (gk), Ross ARCHIBALD, Daniel BOWLES, Christopher BUSH (c), Luke BRATTAN, Matthew BYRNE, James DONACHIE, Ken DOUGALL, Liam McCORMICK, Jacob McLEAN, Josh McVEY, James MEYER, Dane MILOVANOVIC, Alistair QUINN, Matthew THURTELL, Nick TUBBS (gk).
AIS squad: Jake BARKER-DAISH, Melvin BECKET, Kwabena BOAHENE, Corey BROWN Connor CHAPMAN, Kevin DAVISON, Milos DEGENEK, Patrick DIXON, Ryan EDWARDS, Hernan ESPINDOLA, Jason GERIA, Curtis GOOD, Paul IZZO (GK), Aaron LENNOX (GK), Jesse MAKARUONAS, Jake MONACO, Brodie PATERSON, Yianni PERKATIS, Aaron PETERSON
