Brisbane Roar aim to kick off their 20th Isuzu UTE A-League campaign with a win when they travel to face Auckland in opening round action at Go Media Stadium on Saturday, October 19.
Round One of the 2024/25 season pits Ruben Zadkovich’s new look side, who have brought in eleven fresh faces against the competition’s newest side in their first ever A-League match.
Rafael Struick, Neicer Acosta, Walid Shour, Ben Halloran, Ben Warland, Harry Van Der Saag, Marcus Ferkranus, Hosine Bility, Adam Zimarino Pearson Kasawaya and Jacob Brazete have all arrived in Brisbane ahead of the new campaign.
Midfield stalwart, Jay O’Shea has been handed the captain’s armband ahead of his sixth campaign in Roar orange.
Roar closed out a pre-season that included a tour of India with a 1-1 draw against Adelaide United in Mildura a fortnight ago with Acosta netting his first goal for the club with a free-kick.
Auckland, who are expected to play their first competitive match in front of a sold out Go Media Stadium on Saturday are coached by former Sydney FC boss Steve Corica and have built a squad that includes the likes of Japanese international, Hiroki Sakai, Johnny Warren Medallist, Jake Brimmer and former Roar winger, Joey Champness.
Saturday’s season opener will be broadcast live from 2:00pm AEST on Paramount+.
WHAT WAS SAID
“I did say when I first came in I really wanted to try and provide some stability for the club and try and build some sustainable practices in our Football Department.
“I think I’ve been able to do that and now it’s about execution, going out there and trying to win games and that’s the most important thing.
“My care is huge for the fans and I’ve seen even in my short time here seen some fantastic loyalty and support from our fans and members and I’d love for our group to go out there and start winning games for those guys.” – Ruben Zadkovich
“It’s (captaincy) a massive achievement for me and something that I’m not going to take lightly.
“I want to be a great captain of this club, push this club towards finals again because the last few years, it hasn’t been good enough and that’s what I’ll be aiming to do.” Jay O’Shea
TEAM NEWS
Eight players are in the mix to make their league debuts for Brisbane in Saturday’s season opener in Auckland.
Off season recruits Rafael Struick, Neicer Acosta, Walid Shour, Harry Van Der Saag, Ben Warland, Hosine Bility, Adam Zimarino, Ben Halloran and Sam Klein have all been named in Roar’s round one squad following a busy transfer window that saw eleven new faces arrive at the club.
Young Queenslander, Ivan Ozzi who made his first senior appearance for the club on the Roar’s pre-season tour of India and top scored for Young Roar with eight goals in the NPL in 2024 could also make his A-League debut at Go Media Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
FULL TEAM NEWS: Queensland X-Ray Injury Update
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Macklin FREKE (GK), 4. Ben WARLAND, 6. Joe CALETTI, 7. Rafael STRUICK, 8. Walid SHOUR, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 11. Neicer ACOSTA, 15. Hosine BILITY, 16. Thomas WADDINGHAM, 17. Harry VAN DER SAAG, 19. Jack HINGERT, 21. Antonee BURKE-GILROY, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 24. Sam KLEIN, 26. Jay O’SHEA (C), 27. Ben HALLORAN, 29. Matt ACTON (GK), 35. Louis ZABALA, 43. Adam ZIMARINO, 49. Ivan OZZI. (two to be omitted)
Unavailable: 2. Scott NEVILLE (knee), 3. Corey BROWN (Suspension), 5. Marcus FERKRANUS (knee), 30. Quinn MACNICOL (international duty)
Auckland FC squad: 1. Michael WOUD, 2. Hiroki SAKAI, 3. Scott GALLOWAY, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 5. Tommy SMITH, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 7. Cam Howieson, 9. Max MATA, 10. Guillermo MAY, 12. Alex PAULSEN, 14. Liam GILLION, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 18. Finn McKenlay, 21. Jesse RANDALL, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Dan HALL, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 28. Felipe GALLEGOS, 35. Jonty BIDOIS
Unavailable: N/A
KEY STATS
– The Brisbane Roar squad for the 2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League season has a total of 1,727 games experience in the competition. More than 100 more games than any other team in the competition.
– Brisbane Roar have a 26% opening day win rate with five victories from 19 previous Round One hit outs. Only Melbourne City, Central Coast Mariners, Adelaide United and Sydney FC have more opening day wins than the Roar.
– Jay O’Shea, who was named as the seventh man to Captain Roar’s A-League Men’s side made 78-line breaking passes through opposition defensive lines last season. 25 more than any other player.
MATCH DETAILS
Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2024/25 – Round 1: Auckland FC vs Brisbane Roar
Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Saturday, 19 October (2:00pm KO AEST)
