Three weeks since their last National Youth League fixture, Brisbane Roar Youth have returned to the training paddock following the festive break and are ready and firing to take on Adelaide United Youth this Saturday at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Brisbane will return from their mid-season hiatus looking finish the season with a bang and mount a serious challenge to league leaders Gold Coast United Youth over the final eight weeks of completion – starting this week with a tough away trip to Adelaide.
Roar Youth Head Coach John Sime believes that the break has done wonders for his side, however has stressed to his players that they must get back to business from the outset if they want to remain competitive.
“We had done a lot of travelling before the break and the time off has really refreshed us,” Sime said.
“The game this weekend, like any game we play, will be a tough one and if we don-t put in our best performance for 90 minutes we are giving the opposition the best chance to beat us.
“The boys returned to training this week and have worked really hard and we are looking forward to getting back in to the groove again.
“I-m confident the boys will have a good game on Saturday.”
The break has also provided valuable recovery time for a number of players, most notably striker Josh Groenwold who will make his long awaited return on Saturday after battling with a hip injury since the pre-season.
“Josh will definitely travel with the side and I hope to utilise his talents off the bench as soon as possible, I want to give him the best opportunity to perform to his best,” Sime said.
With the match being played as a curtain raiser to a top of the table Hyundai A-League fixture, opposition side Adelaide will be determined to take home the points in front of a vocal home crowd, something Sime is very aware of.
“Every game in the youth competition is a tough match, all the players know this and that is why you need to perform to your best if you want to get the win,” said Sime.
“With the game being played as a curtain raiser to the A-league game it will be a great opportunity for both sides to show the level of play at youth level in this country, however on the same level Adelaide will be just as determined as us to put in a big performance.
“At this point in the season my boys know what is required of them so come Saturday they will be ready to go and hopefully bring home the three points.”
