Enjoying the beginning of his first full season in the Hyundai A-League, experienced defender Matt Smith has revealed that playing for Brisbane Roar has been a “dream come true”.
Since joining the Brisbane from North Queensland Fury in April, Smith has formed a solid partnership with Luke DeVere in the heart of the defence and takes pride in being part of the only team so far this season yet to concede a goal.
If Brisbane manages to keep out Melbourne Victory on Sunday, they will have five clean sheets in a row – equal to the Hyundai A-League record of the most number of matches at the start of the season without conceding a goal, currently held by Central Coast Mariners.
“To play four games against four of the top four sides from last year and to keep clean sheets is a great achievement,” Smith said.
“It-s something we won-t be giving up lightly, that-s for sure.”
Looking back to Sunday-s goalless draw with Newcastle Jets, the 27-year-old said he was pleased to pick up a point at Energy Australia Stadium but admits his side could have taken all three.
“Any points picked up away from home are good points to add to our final position,” he said.
“I think that going on our previous few games, we-re happy with the draw but we left Newcastle thinking that we were unlucky.
“With the few chances we had I thought we were unlucky not to snatch the lead, particularly in the last ten or fifteen minutes.”
Plucked from the state league as a short-term injury replacement for then-Fury teammate and now fellow Roar defender Shane Stefanutto in November of last year, Smith had no problems adapting to the pace of Hyundai A-League and soon caught the eye of Roar coach Ange Postecoglou.
The central defender said he-s still in disbelief at seeing his hard work pay off, not taking a single minute on the playing field for granted.
“It-s a bit of a dream come true considering I was playing for the Brisbane Strikers for the past two years and always wanting to have the opportunity and chance to progress into the A-League,” he said.
“Every time I put the orange shirt on and step out onto the field for another A-League appearance, it-s just a dream come true.”
Brisbane Roar are on the road again this week, and will play Melbourne Victory on Sunday 12 September. Kick off at AAMI Park is at 3pm.
