Brisbane Roar is drawn to play National Premier Leagues Queensland away games against Far North Queensland FC Heat on Saturday, 11 July (Round 17) and Northern Fury FC on Saturday, 18 July (Round 9 rescheduled).
The Roar will host Liverpool FC in the opening match of the English Premier League club’s Australian Tour on Friday, 17 July (6.45pm kick off) at Suncorp Stadium.
For many Roar players who have been on their off-season break, it will be their first game since the club beat Spanish La Liga side Villarreal 3-0 on 3 June. Their last Hyundai A-League game was on 1 May.
The Roar first-team squad, which includes several players recently promoted from the club’s Youth ranks, resumes training on 1 July.
As well as an intensive fitness program, the short preparation for the Liverpool game is expected to also include an in-house 11-versus-11 training match which would be difficult to stage with players travelling out of Brisbane twice in seven days.
A number of Youth players are also vying for selection in the Roar squad to take on Liverpool the night before the rescheduled NPLQ match against the Fury.
With the above scheduling in mind, Brisbane Roar has regretfully decided against sending players to Townsville and Cairns for the NPLQ matches at those venues next month.
Football Federation Australia, Football Queensland, the Fury, the Heat and other stakeholders have been advised of the club’s decision.