Head Coach Warren Moon was pleased with his squad’s showing in the opening contest of Hyundai A-League 2020/21 pre-season against Eastern Suburbs FC on Saturday night.
The Roar named a 22-man squad for the contest with all players earning time on-field in the 1-0 win over the local NPL Queensland opposition.
Jay O’Shea’s sublime free-kick early In the first half in front of a packed clubhouse at Heath Park proved to be the difference.
GALLERY: The best photos from our opening pre-season contest
TICKETS: Magpies Crusaders vs Brisbane Roar
“We’re really pleased with that. We’ve worked hard for the last three weeks and to get the hit out was really pleasing – 45 [minutes] from our senior boys and a really good performance in the second half from our young boys too,” Moon said.
“I think what you noticed in the back end of last year is that we’re a bit more on the front foot, a bit more attacking and aggressive, especially defensively – I think you could see that tonight.”
The next test comes this Saturday night at Mackay’s Sologinkin Oval in the form of Magpies Crusaders United – the culmination of a four-day pre-season camp in the region.
TICKETS: See the Brisbane Roar in Mackay
Moon’s squad will fly to Mackay on Tuesday with an intense week on the training park as well as plenty of community engagements on the agenda for the week.
Next up, we're off to Mackay! ✈️
Get your tickets for next Saturday's fixture against @MagpiesCrusader – https://t.co/831awkwE98 pic.twitter.com/T3eQrQRZuI
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) November 8, 2020
“I can’t wait. I love the regions, especially going up to Mackay,” Moon added.”
“I know the people in the region and what to expect – we’re going to get a good game this week. One thing I do know is that they’re going to put on an excellent surface in a great facility for us so we can’t wait.”
The ongoing impacts of COVID-19 prematurely ended the Magpies Crusaders participation in the 2020 NPL QLD and the hosts are sure to be primed for the challenge of the state’s only A-League squad.
“It’s a great football area. We’re going to play Magpies Crusaders who were unable to play in the NPL [Queensland] this year so it’s going to be great for them to have us up there and we’re looking forward to it too.
