Words: Steve Pitman & Michael Flynn
Image: Ray Gardner/Redlands United FC

Brisbane Strikers coach Kevin A’herne-Evans has urged supporters to get behind his team in Saturday night’s PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Semi Final at Perry Park.

Strikers finished the regular season second on the table and host third-placed Redlands United in the Semi-Final, with the winner advancing to the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Grand Final.

Supporters of the club expressed their frustrations this week via social media after the club’s final match of the regular season was cancelled, preventing a last-gasp tilt at the Premiership title.

A’herne-Evans conceded his players were devastated by the ruling and called on the club’s supporters to come out in numbers for the Semi-Final as a show of support.

“We’ve got a real big game on Saturday and it would be a huge gesture if we get a massive attendance down at Perry Park to roar us on against a very good Redlands outfit,” A’herne-Evans said.

“I know our juniors will be there, and I’d encourage their parents to do all they can to get there as well and make sure that we make the most of the home advantage that we have.”

“We’ve been terrific at home this year, so that obviously brings us a lot of confidence.  But that extra support that we could harness from the crowd, especially under these circumstances, would be terrific for our players.”

A’herne-Evans said addressing his charges after the cancellation of their final match was difficult.

“It’s a tough thing to be stood there as a coach explaining to the players, who have given everything for myself and for the club this year, to put themselves in a position where they can win the competition in the last league game of the season.”

“To get that taken away from them without the opportunity of applying that on the field – it was devastating for them.”

Strikers will now look to rebound against a Redlands side that recorded a win and a draw in two previous PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland fixtures between the sides this year.

However, Strikers will be buoyed by their form in knock-out competition - eliminating the Red Devils from this year’s Westfield FFA Cup with a 4-3 away win.

“We’ve played them three times this year and there’s been fourteen goals scored in those three games and they’re a good side,” A’herne-Evans said.

“They’ve gone out there and recruited experienced players, they play a low-risk game, get numbers behind the ball when they haven’t got it and look to counter – and they are deadly on the counter because of their front five in particular,” he concluded.

PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland 2015 Finals Series - Semi-Final

Brisbane Strikers FC v Redlands United FC
Perry Park, Brisbane
Saturday, September 5
Kick-off at 6:00PM
*This match will be LIVE-STREAMED at www.nplqld.com.au