Young Roar Recruit Calls For Belief
Words: Staff Writers
Image: Brisbane Roar FC
New Brisbane Roar Youth recruit Nathan Konstandopoulos has urged his team-mates to believe in themselves ahead of their PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues opener.
The 20-year-old midfielder is one of several new faces for Young Roar in the national second tier after bedding in a new wave of talent during the summer’s Foxtel National Youth League.
Konstandopoulos last played for PlayStation 4 NPL South Australia club Adelaide Olympic, but previously was a fringe player with Adelaide United’s Hyundai A-League and Westfield FFA Cup squads in addition to playing for the Young Reds.
Now entering his fourth season of PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues football, Konstandopoulos said he was delighted to be part of Queensland’s only fully professional football club.
"It's an honour to play for Brisbane Roar. I have been watching them on TV for a long time and it is good to finally wear their colours," he explained.
He urged his new Young Roar teammates, who are mostly 17- and 18-year-olds, not to be intimidated by older and more physical players in the national second tier.
"Don't be scared and believe in yourself," Konstandopoulos said.
"Tackle the physicality with aggression but also let the football doing the talking using our skills and speed to out-manoeuvre some of the bigger bodies."
Konstandopoulos has been training with Roar’s Hyundai A-League squad alongside many of his Young Roar teammates. He said the benefit of learning from Roar’s stable of stars was invaluable.
"It has been a fantastic experience to learn off players like Matt McKay and Thomas Broich, learn their tricks and keep progressing my football," he said.
But he is also looking forward to playing his first game with a Young Roar squad that features promising teenagers including Jesse Daley, Adam Sawyer, Dylan Wenzel-Halls, Thomas Miller and Joseph Champness.
"They are a fantastic group of guys who are very talented," Konstandopoulos said.
"I just want to learn the new style as quickly as I can, get to know the players around me, keep improving my game and give my best to the team."
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues – Round 1
Brisbane Roar FC Youth v Brisbane Strikers FC
Saturday, February 27 | 6:00PM
Perry Park, Brisbane
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