Words: Staff Writers
Image: Andrew Shaw/Visible Focus Photography

Brisbane Roar Youth coach Josh McCloughan believes his side can extend their unbeaten home record this weekend against Olympic FC despite the absence of big performers.

Young Roar’s Cleveland Showgrounds home ground has proven a fortress for the Young Roar this season with the club taking 14 from a possible 18 points at the venue in PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues matches.

Their depth will be tested this weekend with seven first-team regulars to miss Saturday’s match-up against Olympic – including leading goal scorer Nicholas D’Agostino, attackers Joseph Champness and Jayden Prasad, midfielder Nathan Konstandopoulos and defensive rock Mark Rodic.

However, McCloughan fully expects his squad to take the changes in stride as they look to notch a third straight win in the competition.

"Those boys will come in and get a good opportunity to perform," McCloughan said.

"That's the whole idea of the process. It's to make sure that when boys get their chance they are ready and take it.”

"Nothing really has to change, the players who have come in are working hard and our structures have been integrated during the training drills and hit-outs that we've had internally."

Young Roar proved dominant in their prior meeting against Olympic in March – winning 4-1 on the back of a D’Agostino hat-trick – however McCloughan acknowledges the current Olympic side will be a different proposition following an impressive form reversal that sees them unbeaten in their past five matches.

"Olympic are a lot different to the side we played earlier in the season. They have a good squad and it's going to be a really good test for us," McCloughan asserted.

He added that the differing but continual challenge provided by opponents week-to-week in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues continues to provide a nurturing environment for his young side.

"That's what I like about this competition. It gives us the physical test, and there's also a high standard of football too," McCloughan said.

"Over the last three or four weeks, we're starting to learn what it takes to grind out a game and get your nose in front.”

"Understanding and working on our structures is important, the next step in the players' development is to learn how to win.”

"Every game we play we're going to go out and try to win but our focus continues to be on our performances because I believe they have been very good in the last couple of weeks,” McCloughan concluded.

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 15

Brisbane Roar FC Youth v Olympic FC
Saturday, June 25 | 5:00PM
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City