All-Stars Pair Learn Roar Lessons
Words: Matt Dorman
Images: Albert Perez/Football Queensland
Two of PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland Under 23 All-Stars’ central pillars believe they will be better for the chance to mix it with John Aloisi’s Brisbane Roar.
Western Pride striker Harrison Sawyer and Northern Fury defender Ari Isman both completed 90 minutes in Saturday’s exhibition clash at QSAC.
The squad’s first ever appearance formed part of a double header with Moreton Bay United’s victorious PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Elimination Final while also providing Roar with a valuable pre-season hitout.
For 18-year-old Sawyer (above), testing himself against full-time professionals delivered an insight into the intensity of the next level.
“You have to be a lot quicker on the ball. You have to know what you’re doing before you get the ball,” the Brisbane local observed.
“Keeping the ball, everything has to be safe (because) if you lose it against a team like that you’re going to be working your ass off for the next maybe four or five minutes until you get it back.”
Sawyer matched up directly against Socceroos defender Jade North in the match, leaving the young centre-forward with plenty of lessons for the future.
“It was a really good experience. I learned he’s a really smart player so it taught me a bit in my game what I have to do when I come up against an opposition like that,” Sawyer said of North.
“The centre-backs are really comfortable on the ball so it’s a lot of running out there. But I enjoyed it, it tested me.”
Despite the heavy defeat, All-Stars defender Isman (below) battled bravely for the young side with a number of key challenges and one notable goal-line clearance.
The former Spanish lower-league player, who stepped into midfield after the break, believes there’s no better way to prepare for the next level than to compete with it directly.
“It was an amazing experience playing against some of the best players in Australia,” Isman said.
“The result doesn’t really matter, it’s about getting that exposure and getting your name noted.
“I’m 23 now but there’s a lot of up and coming players coming through the ranks and for them to have this experience it’s second to none.”
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