Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Ray Gardner/Redlands United FC

Redlands United goalkeeper Brendan White is hoping qualification for the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 will once again place him firmly in the shop window for the Hyundai A-League.

Redlands host Brisbane Strikers on Tuesday night in the final round of qualifying and a win for either side will see them advance to the national draw alongside the ten Hyundai A-League clubs.

It won’t be the first time White has been exposed to the national stage, with the 23-year-old former Capalaba FC junior serving as a substitute for Gold Coast United in the Hyundai A-League as part of the now-defunct club’s Foxtel National Youth League squad.

While remaining aware that he and his teammates still must do the job against Strikers, White said he couldn’t help but ponder the opportunities the competition may bring to his continuing quest for a professional contract.

“I’ve thought about the Round of 32 but I haven’t actually thought of any opponents we could possibly face. However, just to be in the TV rounds, as they say, is an unreal opportunity,” he said.

In addition to his Gold Coast stint, White has previously come to the attention of Brisbane Roar as a train-on player.

“I was at the Roar for the last two years just training there and I thought the chance might arise to get some form of contract when Michael Theo broke his wrist last year but nothing happened,” he explained.

“I just want to prove to them that I am up to it and I want to verse an A-League team to prove I am up to that level because that’s the only way you’re going to get found out.”

“If I do step in and verse an A-League team and make a mistake then maybe you have to question yourself but you can’t be afraid to make the mistake.”

There was no mistake from White in his previous Westfield FFA Cup outing against Ipswich Knights where he delivered a crucial first half penalty save to keep the two sides locked at nil-all before going on to record a clean-sheet.

White stressed that the 6-0 final result that night was a full team effort, but explained how he pulled off the important stop.

“I couldn’t quite tell where he would shoot from his run-up until the last step he took and he sort of gave it away,” White explained.

“I just dived as far as I could to my right but it wasn’t the greatest of penalties and he’d probably admit that.”

With the looming possibility of a penalty shoot-out against Strikers, White said reviewing match footage provided to all PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland clubs by Football Queensland was an important part of his preparations for any match.

“When we versed Strikers two weeks ago in the league, Macauce had a penalty and I was watching some of the videos to see where he was putting his last couple.”

“I guess I picked the right way but the power beat me, but I do watch all the footage and try to improve on my own mistakes.”

However, White was well aware that Strikers will also be keenly reviewing the match footage in search of their first win again Redlands this year.

“I just really wish the game we versed them two weeks ago was the cup game and not the other way around.”

“Now Strikers know what they can work on to put the chances that they missed away because they did have a lot of chances,” he concluded.

Fixture details:

Westfield FFA Cup Brisbane Zone Qualifying Round 7
Redlands United FC v Brisbane Strikers FC
Tuesday, 9 June
Kick-off - 7:15PM