Strikers Ready For Roar Challenge
Brisbane Strikers coach David Large has pledged to field his best possible starting eleven for Wednesday night’s friendly against A-League club Brisbane Roar at Perry Park.
Despite a busy close to the club’s first National Premier Leagues season, including an important away match to rivals Sunshine Coast Fire this Sunday, Large wouldn’t entertain the suggestion his players would rested for the Roar game.
“We’ll give (the Roar) the respect they deserve and we’ll put a top quality side out”, said Large explaining his approach to the friendly fixture.
“It’s a game that we’ll take seriously. We certainly won’t make a mockery of it. We’ll go out there with intentions of making sure that we do the Strikers proud”.
Large, who spent the majority of his coaching career developing young players, sees the friendly as an opportunity for his squad.
“It basically gives them an opportunity to be showcased in front of people like (Roar coach) Mike Mulvey, where he can at least get an idea of what their levels are at this standard”, Large said.
“For the ones that have got the aspirations of moving on, it gives them the opportunity to be seen against some of the best in Queensland”.
Strikers still harbour ambitions of returning to the top level of football in Australia, and view the match as an opportunity to learn from one of the A-League’s premier clubs.
“In the first instance it’s an opportunity for us to assist the Roar in their pre-season and give them some good grounding”, said Large.
“But in the longer term it’s certainly something that we’ve spoken about at the Strikers – in terms of where we want to be – and we certainly would want to be pushing for A-League football again if and when the opportunity comes along.
“So just having a chance to host the Roar – it gives the club an idea of what it takes to put these events on and just reminds us of the whole match day experience again at that level”.
As well as giving Strikers supporters the chance to see the club’s current crop of players against fully professional opposition, the game will also offer them the chance to reacquaint themselves with some old favourites.
Three former Brisbane Strikers players – Matt Smith, Shane Stefanutto and Jade North – are on the books of the Roar for the 2013/14 season.
Match Details:
Brisbane Strikers v Brisbane Roar
Wednesday, 7th August 2013 – Perry Park, 7pm
Admission: Free
Words: Steve Pitman (Brisbane Strikers)
Image: Keith Eigeland
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