He began the season with a baptism of fire and now Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young will be in the firing line again when Brisbane host Spanish La Liga side Villarreal CF at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow (7pm kick off).
The Spaniards have promised to attack and showed in their come-from-behind 3-2 win over Adelaide United on Friday that they are extremely dangerous in front of goal when they step up a gear.
Villarreal’s Serbian international Antonio Rukavina has predicted plenty of goals in the match and Young says the Roar defence cannot afford to give the visitors any extra space.
The Villarreal attack is likely to include their leading scorer this season, Argentine Luciano Dario Vietto (12 goals), the in-form Gerard Moreno (who netted the winner last Friday) and skilful Mexican Giovani Dos Santos.
“We are going have to be focussed at the back,” Young said.
“The reason they are such a good team is because they have the ability to score goals quickly and are clinical finishers – they showed that against Adelaide.
“As a defensive unit we will have to be concentrating throughout to give ourselves the best chance of nullifying that aspect of their game.”
Tickets to the match, which is not televised in Australia, start from just $16 for children and $28 for adults (plus credit card and transaction fees). For more information or to book your seats click here.
The 29-year-old went on to play 24 Hyundai A-League matches and all six AFC Champions League group stage games in his most impressive season yet at the club.
“I had a good start to the season in terms of playing games and as a player that’s what you want to do,” Young said.
“To finish the season against Villarreal is fantastic because they are a very well respected team in Europe and in Spain and they have shown that this season with their finish (sixth) in the league.”
“There will be a line of sorts drawn under this season in terms of player selection to a degree and in a sense we are all on trial again,” Young said.
“The new manager will know of certain players who have done things in the past for the club but he will also keep a close eye on everyone. So it is really up to the players to prove to him what they have to offer.
“Everybody will be competing for a position in his first team next season and I will be no different to that.”
