Brisbane Roar Youth welcome Olympic FC to Cleveland Showgrounds on Saturday, 25 June (5pm kick-off) in their PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland Round 15 clash.
Cleveland Showgrounds has become a fortress for the Young Roar side this season. Currently they are undefeated at the venue, taking 14 from a possible 18 points at home in the 2016 PS4 NPL QLD season.
Seven members of the squad are now taking a well-earned rest ahead of preparation for the 2016-17 Hyundai A-League pre-season, including leading goal scorer Nick D’Agostino ( below) . The prolific striker has scored 10 goals this campaign, including a hat-trick when the sides last met in Round 4.
Recent signing Hayden Mchenery, a 19-year-old midfielder from Western Pride FC, may be in line to debut for the Young Roar this weekend.
Over the coming weeks, there will be opportunities for squad members to impress Young Roar Head Coach Josh McCloughan.
“Those boys will come in and get a good opportunity to perform,” McCloughan said.
“That’s the whole idea of the process. It’s to make sure that when boys get their chance they are ready and take it.
“Nothing really has to change, the players who have come in are working hard and our structures have been integrated during the training drills and hitouts that we’ve had internally.”
This weekend’s clash will provide a stern test for the Young Roar as opponents Olympic FC enter the fixture on the back of an undefeated streak in the PS4 NPL QLD dating back to May 15th against Sunshine Coast FC.
“Olympic [FC] are a lot different to the side we played earlier in the season,” McCloughan said.
“They have a good squad and it’s going to be a really good test for us.”
McCloughan has praised the PS4 NPL QLD for providing a challenging environment for his young squad.
“That’s what I like about this competition. It gives us the physical test, and there’s also a high standard of football too.”
The Young Roar are building momentum heading into the second half of the PS4 NPL QLD season taking maximum points from their last two fixtures with victories over Moreton Bay United FC and Redlands United FC.
While results have been positive, McCloughan is squarely focused on the continued development of his squad.
“Over the last three or four weeks, we’re starting to learn what it takes to grind out a game and get your nose in front,” McCloughan said.
“Understanding and working on our structures is important, the next step in the players’ development is to learn how to win.
“Every game we play we’re going to go out and try to win but our focus continues to be on our performances because I believe they have been very good in the last couple of weeks.”
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