After four & a half months between drinks, our Young Roar are finally back in NPL QLD action this Sunday with a mouthwatering match-up with Peninsula Power at A.J. Kelly Park (3pm kick-off).
The Young Roar haven’t had a competitive fixture since March 13 but head into the restarted NPL QLD season in a strong position with four wins from the opening six matches.
They’ve had to wait an extra week after a bye last weekend and Head Coach Chris Grossman says his boys are raring to go.
“It’s good to be back. We’ve had three friendlies and obviously the bye in the first round back wasn’t ideal,” Grossman said.
“The boys are excited for the game back against Peninsula Power, which will be a good test but they’ve come back in really good condition.
“I’m excited to see them back out there.”
The Power returned to action last weekend with a defeat against Eastern Suburbs, but Grossman isn’t reading into the hosts’ mixed form.
Sunday’s venue will also be familiar for a number of Young Roar squad members having played a number of Foxtel Y-League fixtures at A.J. Kelly Park over the summer.
“They’re a good side. They’ve done really well to get promoted and then in their first year in the NPL QLD they were very good and are definitely a team I have a lot of respect for with the way they play,” Grossman added.
“The club has been fantastic to host us for our [Foxtel] Y-League games as well.
“We’re aware of the test but the boys are chewing at the bit to restart from where we finished up before the break.”
With the Roar’s Hyundai A-League squad bunkered down in Sydney, an opportunity beckons for a number of the squad’s younger brigade to step up in the absence of a handful of more senior squad members.
“We’re confident that the players at our disposal will be good enough to get results in this league and it’s a chance for them to step up and show what they’re about,” Grossman concluded.
“In the friendlies we’ve had, those boys have really grasped opportunities and it also gives us a chance to see some younger faces getting their chances.”
