Brisbane Roar’s preparations for the 2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League season continue to ramp up with a clash against the Queensland State Team at Underwood Park on Friday night.
Friday’s match which is the new look Roar sides first in Brisbane ahead of the upcoming campaign pits Ruben Zadkovich’s men against a side comprised of the best players from the NPL Queensland.
The Queensland state side are coached by Peninsula Power boss, Aaron Philp alongside Wynnum Wolves Graham Fyfe while their squad contains the likes of Hassan Ramazani and Sam Klein who have both made senior appearances for the Roar.
WATCH: Austin Ludwik Queensland State Team Press Conference
WATCH: Graham Fyfe Queensland State Team Press Conference
Roar will take the pitch on Friday for the first time since returning from a two week tour of India where they competed in the Bandodkar Trophy, taking wins against Dempo SC and Sporting Clube De Goa before being edged out by Odisha at the Semi Final stage.
Thomas Waddingham top scored for Roar at the tournament with three goals, while Walid Shour, Jay O’Shea, Jez Lofthouse, Louis Zabala and Harry Van Der Saag all found the back of the net.
Youngsters, Ivan Ozzi, James Durrington and Lucas Herrington all made their senior debuts for the club in India with Herrington also being rewarded with a three-year scholarship deal for the Roar.
Alongside Herrington’s promotion Zadkovich has added seven new faces as he oversees his first transfer window at the helm with Ben Warland, Marcus Ferkranus, Hosine Bility, Harry Van Der Saag, Walid Shour, Ben Halloran and Adam Zimarino all signing on in Brisbane ahead of the new season.
Zadkovich said his side were looking forward to a tough test against some of the best players from the local league on Friday night.
“It’s a competitive match, it gives an opportunity for some guys outside our program that for whatever reason may have parted with the club in previous times or previous management and may have gone and grown and become better players, playing NPL and senior men’s football.
“You sometimes find the odd older player, diamond in the rough that’s kind of slipped through everyone’s cracks for a long time.
“It’s a good opportunity for some of those players to put their foot forward and show us their levels but it’s also a great opportunity for us to continue building our processes and build on the way we play.”
Roar kick off the 2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League season on the road against the competition’s newest club, Auckland FC at Go Media Stadium on Saturday, October 19.
Friday’s match at Underwood Park kicks off at 7pm and will be broadcast live on the Football Queensland YouTube channel and FQTV.
MATCH DETAILS
Brisbane Roar vs Queensland State Team
Underwood Park, Priestdale
Friday, 13 September (7:00pm KO)
TICKETS
