Brisbane Roar youngster Devante Clut is remaining humble and focused, despite scoring a game-changing brace in last night’s 3-3 AFC Champions League draw with Suwon Samsung FC at Gold Coast Stadium.
The 19-year-old scored twice to help his team take a point against the K-League club and earned Player of the Match plaudits from AFC, the media and spectators alike in just his third senior appearance.
After racing to a quick 2-0 lead after 22 minutes, the Roar conceded three times before Clut unleashed a scorching shot past Bluewings ‘keeper No Dong-Geon from outside the penalty area to secure the 3-3 result.
“I thought, we need a goal, we need it quick and if I don’t shoot, I won’t score,” Clut said.
“I took the chance when I saw it.
“Last night was just another game I had to come in and do my job and hopefully this weekend I can come in and do my job if I’m given another chance.”
In the side in place of rested marquee man Thomas Broich, Clut said he took extra confidence and motivation from his teammates to make his mark on the Match Day Three encounter.
“I felt confident, I felt ready,” he said.
“I think the most important thing is that I can look to my left and look to my right and see players around me that are going help me.
“I am confident in the team and that helps me become confident in myself.”
After scoring a spectacular goal on debut against Wellington Phoenix last January, Clut had made just one senior appearance this season – a 24-minute cameo against the New Zealand side in January – before last night’s draw with the Bluewings.
The Sydney-born youngster has been playing regularly in the Foxtel National Youth League and in the recently completed season, notched up an impressive record of 11 goals in 15 matches as an attacking midfielder.
“That’s the position I prefer, I’ve been playing there all year and working on that,” Clut said.
A decision is yet to be made on Broich’s availability for the Phoenix match and captain Matt McKay departs for Socceroos duty following Sunday’s match with two Hyundai A-League matches to play in his absence.
This means an opportunity could arise for the teenager to make his return to Hyundai A-League action over the next week as the Roar continues the transition of its squad to include more of the young players coming through the club’s development program.
If the chance does come, Clut is confident he can produce another consistent performance in the Roar midfield – whether it is with or without the two players he has learned so much from during his time at the club.
“I feel comfortable playing with Thomas, when we play together at training we connect really well,” he said.
“To be honest, the hardest player to follow at training is Matt McKay – I’ll look at him, look at the ball, look back and he’s gone.
“In that case, if I can copy him and learn from him, it will improve me as a player.
“These guys are smart players who move before you even have time to look.”
The Roar squad will have a rest day tomorrow before their open training session on Saturday morning at 7.30am. Entry is via Clyde Road, Herston and parking is available on site.
Kick off at Suncorp Stadium against Wellington Phoenix is at 4pm. Tickets available at Ticketek.
Sunday, 22 March 2015
Brisbane Roar FC v Wellington Phoenix
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 4:00pm local
Referee: Alan Milliner
TV Broadcast: Live and exclusive coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 7.30pm (AEDT)
Radio Broadcast: Online/ABC Radio Mobile phone app.
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 2.Jerome POLENZ, 3.Shane STEFANUTTO, 4.Adam SAROTA, 5.Corey BROWN, 8.Steven LUSTICA, 9.ANDRIJA Kaluderovic, 10.HENRIQUE, 12.Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 15.James DONACHIE, 16.Devante CLUT, 17.Matt McKAY (c), 18.Luke BRATTAN, 21.Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22.Thomas BROICH, 23.Dimitri PETRATOS, 28.Brandon BORRELLO, 33.Luke DeVERE, 36.Fraser CHALMERS (gk) ***two to be omitted***
Ins: 16.Devante CLUT (promoted), 18.Luke BRATTAN (return from suspension)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 1.Michael THEO (groin – two weeks), 13.Jade NORTH (groin – one week)
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Glen MOSS (GK), 3.Joel GRIFFITHS, 4.Roly BONEVACIA, 5.Michael BOXALL, 8.Alex RODRIGUEZ, 9.Nathan BURNS, 10.Michael McGLINCHEY, 13.Albert RIERA, 14.Alex RUFER, 15.Jason HICKS, 16.Louis FENTON, 17.Vince LIA, 18.Ben SIGMUND, 19.Tom DOYLE, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (GK), 21, Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c) ***one to be omitted***
Ins: 8.Alex RODRIGUEZ (returns from injury), 9.Nathan BURNS (returns from injury), 14.Alex RUFER (promoted)
Outs: 2.Manny MUSCAT (shoulder – 1 week), 29.Joel STEVENS (omitted)
Unavailable: 6.Josh BRINDELL-SOUTH (shoulder – 4 weeks), 7.Kenny CUNNINGHAM (hamstring – 2 weeks), 11.Kwabena APPIAH (calf – 1 week), 12.Tyler BOYD (ankle – 2 weeks), 23.Matthew Ridenton (knee – 2 weeks)
