Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Anthony Napoli

Brisbane City coach John Kosmina believes his team will be defined by resilience and determination as they seek to a return to finals football in 2016.

City have confirmed their new-look squad for the upcoming PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues campaign with Kosmina putting his stamp on the club in his first season by blending a several new recruits with a core of returning proven performers.

The former Socceroos star and Hyundai A-League coach, who signed a three-year contract with City late last year, boasts a reputation as a rugged competitor and it’s an influence that he hopes he can instil in his charges.

To that end, Kosmina said one of the primary drivers behind identifying which players to retain and recruit was their mentality.

“For me it’s as much about your attitude to the game as anything else,” Kosmina explained.

“You can be the most talented player in the world with the most potential but you have to be in the right head space to achieve your potential.”

He conceded that he didn’t look at any video footage of any players that he has recruited to the club, instead choosing to rely on the opinions of his extensive network of football contacts and support staff.

New local recruits to the club include fullback Greg King and winger Scot Coulson from Brisbane Strikers, midfielder Luke Pavlou and winger Samuel Sibatuara from Brisbane Roar Youth and Premirship winning fullback Jayke Cuschieri from Moreton Bay United.

While also joining City from further afield are goalkeeper Tim Allen, who last played for Ballymena United in Northern Ireland, and winger Jason Park, who was previously with Sydney club Bankstown City.

Established fan favourites Antonio Murray, Mat Biggins and Luca Jannese are amongst the returning players, as well as promising young defensive talents Kai Smith and Paul Stevens.

“We signed probably ten players before I even moved up here based on my information from different people,” Kosmina said of his process.

“I also spoke to a few different people and a few of the players before they got signed and asked about their different attributes and made a decision based on that.”

“I will back them now because I chose them and I will work as much as a I need to achieve the goals we have set.”

City fans are longing to restore what they see as the club’s rightful place at the zenith of Queensland football after failing to finish in the top four in the past two seasons.

And while City’s pre-season results have been mixed, Kosmina explained he deliberately sought to challenge his squad with a high workload in preparation for the season.

“We played the Silver Boot but we trained really hard leading up to those games – we would do a shift on a Thursday night and then play on the Friday.”

“For me it’s about building resilience as much as condition. Sometimes you’re going to be fatigued and you still have to work.”

“Sometimes things don’t work as you want it to on the weekend and you just have to roll your sleeves up and it’s not always just all about football.”

Despite remaining optimistic of his squad's chances for the season ahead, Kosmina did seek to temper unrealistic expectations.

“It sounds clichéd but you have to be competitive if nothing else. We want to play in the finals and hopefully win the finals, but if we can finish up the ladder then I am happy,” he concluded.

Brisbane City host defending PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland Champions Moreton Bay United in the opening round.

Brisbane City FC Squad – PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues

Tim ALLEN, Greg KING, Luca JANNESE, Kai SMITH, Jayke CUSCHIERI, Luke PAVLOU, Nathan BIRD, Mat BIGGINS, Antonio MURRAY (visa player), Scot COULSON, Nick BUCKLEY, Joshua CRONK, Jason PARK, Paul STEVENS, Kai BARNES, Jean-Mike JABO, Samuel SIBATUARA, Kakehi MOTOKI (visa player), Koh SATAKE, Jake CLANCY, James HARKIN