As the only remaining Hyundai A-League club in the state, Brisbane Roar’s Matt Acton says the players fully understand their responsibility to the Queensland football community as the club continues its pre-season campaign with a match against an Ipswich select side this Sunday.
As the only remaining Hyundai A-League club in the state, Brisbane Roar-s Matt Acton says the players fully understand their responsibility to the Queensland football community as the club continues its pre-season campaign with a match against an Ipswich select side this Sunday.
For the third consecutive year, the Roar will visit North Ipswich Reserve to play against the Ipswich Invitational team, which will be made up of players from Brisbane Premier League Division 1 teams Ipswich City, Ipswich Knights and Western Spirit.
Goalkeeper Acton, born and bred in Townsville, said the players felt it was especially important to visit areas outside of Brisbane as part of reaching out to the football community.
When the two-time Hyundai A-League Champions played at Ipswich last July, the crowd exceeded 3000 fans and early signs are showing a similar attendance is expected on Sunday afternoon.
“To get a chance to play in front of local fans is great and the more people that come out, the better,” the 20-year-old said.
“We want to be exposed to the community and we want them to see what we-re all about and how we go about things.
“We are the only team in Queensland now so we-ve got to reach out to areas all over the state.
“We-re going to Ipswich this weekend and we-ve got a game in Mackay next month.
“Hopefully a big crowd comes out on Sunday and we put on a good show for them.”
For Acton, this weekend-s fixture also marks a mini milestone.
Brisbane Roar Head Coach Rado Vidosic has revealed the young shot stopper is likely to play the full 90 minutes between the posts for the first time since officially signing his Hyundai A-League contract.
“I had a hit-out on Sunday but that was just 60 minutes,” he said, referring to the intra-club game played during training at Ballymore Stadium.
“This weekend will be my first 90 minutes for the first team.
“I-m looking forward to it, I hope a big crowd turns out and hopefully if we work hard on the things we-ve been working hard on at training, we should have a good performance and result.”
Last year, the Roar eased past the Ipswich side 3-0 with goals to Thomas Broich, Mitch Nichols and National Youth League player Alistair Quinn.
Match details
Brisbane Roar vs Ipswich Invitational
North Ipswich Reserve, The Terrace, North Ipswich
3pm kick-off, gates open at 12 noon
Player signing session from 12.45-1.45pm
Admission: $5 adults, children under 16 free
For the kids: Roary, Rosie and Pauls Rapid Fire Fields from 12.15pm
