Words: Staff Writers
Image: Ray Gardner

Brisbane Roar Youth coach Josh McCloughan is under no illusions his side will face a stern test against league leaders FNQ Heat on Saturday.

The match marks Young Roar’s first match at Cleveland Showgrounds since their unbeaten home record was tarnished by a loss to Sunshine Coast FC two weeks ago – conceding three times in the opening quarter hour.

McCloughan explained it is vital for Young Roar to be the side with the early momentum against Heat this time out after the league-leaders won their previous clash this season in Cairns.

“We need to start the game really well. FNQ [FC Heat] are on top of the league and they’re top of the league for a reason," McCloughan said.

"We’re going to need to play well as a unit and focus on shutting down the areas they are strong in.”

“This week as a group we've worked hard on our structures so that we can cause them problems throughout the contest and we will be hoping to implement this on game day."

McCloughan has had to tweak his match day squad in recent weeks after several first-team regulars were brought into Roar’s Hyundai A-League pre-season programme.

He said he was encouraged by his young charges’ response to the defeat against Fire – snatching a draw away to Western Pride in their last start.

“When you come off a heavy defeat the first thing you look for is how the players respond. As part of their development this is what defines them as footballers. As their coach, this is all you can ask for.”

He added, “The side this weekend is going to be relatively inexperienced but I’m still confident that the boys will go out and put on a good show for the club.”

“Every session or game is an opportunity for players within our squad to stand up and show what they can do and this weekend will be no different.”

Despite sitting ninth on the table, Young Roar remain in the hunt for a top four finish amidst a mid-table log jam that means that will see the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues regular season come down to the wire.

However, with finals football no guarantee, McCloughan knows his side must maintain momentum ahead of the upcoming Foxtel National Youth League season.

“We will continue to build on what we’ve been doing and see if we can learn from those little lessons that have cost us in the past and then go forward from there,” he said.

“We know we need to have some patience with the new boys coming in, but we’ll set the same standards and try to implement the same structures.”

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 18

Brisbane Roar FC Youth v FNQ FC Heat
Saturday, July 23 | 5:00PM
Cleveland Showgrounds, Redland City

This story originally appeared on the Brisbane Roar FC website (www.brisbaneroar.com.au)

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