Monoethnic Social Club said:

Messi?

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I had to find out who that was when I saw it first time.

...the Indonesian club features Argentine midfielder Alexis Messidoro, whose surname has led fans to affectionately nickname him "Messi"

We might have to call our new striker Postolachi "Ange" though.

Roar Women's email:

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Brisbane Roar Sign American Forward Abby Smothers ​

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Brisbane Roar FC is excited to announce to you first the signing of American forward Abby Smothers for the 2026/27 Ninja A-League Women's season. Smothers arrives from Western Michigan University, where she finished her collegiate career as the program's all-time leader in points and goals, tallying 75 points and 28 goals across 61 appearances. In her senior season she was named to the All-MAC First Team and recognised as a United Soccer Coaches All-Region honouree, while also earning Academic All-MAC honours. Head Coach Johnathan Clemente welcomed the signing saying, “Abby is a attacking threat, direct, fast & strong with a wand of a left foot, these strengths will transition into the A-League very well and i'm excited to work with her. Speaking on making the move, Smothers said, “It’s a dream come true to be getting my professional career started, and I can’t think of a better place to begin than in Brisbane, Australia! I’m so incredibly thankful for the club believing in me, and giving me the opportunity to get my career started. “I can’t wait to get to experience everything about Brisbane and more than anything, I can’t wait to play in front of the amazing fans!” Brisbane Roar FC welcomes Abby to the Club and looks forward to seeing her make an impact in orange throughout the 2026/27 season. ​

Abby Smothers' highlights reel looks OK.

Some strength, some skill, some shot power, some accuracy, some foot skill, some vision.

Looks to be a good signing.

Roar Email:

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Roar Land Experienced Aussie Midfielder Tyrese Francois​

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We can reveal to you first the exciting news that the club has signed Australian midfielder Tyrese Francois on a multi-year deal, adding significant depth and experience to the club's midfield ahead of the 2026/27 season. Francois, 26, joins the Roar after a career built in England and Europe. Born in Campbelltown, New South Wales, he moved to London as a junior and came through the Fulham academy, going on to make his first-team debut for the club in the Premier League before loan spells at Croatia's HNK Gorica and Denmark's Vejle Boldklub. He most recently played for Wigan Athletic in England's League One. Francois has represented Australia at U23 level, earning selection during the 2021 and 2022 international windows as part of a strong crop of Australian talent developed overseas. "I'm really happy to be joining Brisbane Roar. I'm excited and looking forward to a new chapter back home in Australia. I can't wait to get started, meet my new teammates and give my all for the fans." Sporting Director James Gow said the signing reflected the club's recruitment ambitions as it builds towards the new season. "We're very pleased as a club to bring a player of Tyrese's quality to the football club. He's gained immense experience as a footballer during his time abroad, which we are confident will see him impact the team positively. “He is a player with a fantastic mentality, an excellent football IQ and a lot of technical ability. We look forward to seeing him get started.” Francois will link up with the Roar's playing group as soon as possible ahead of the new season. ​

I am pretty sure I saw Francois play in the U23 match for Australia.

Unless I am remembering another player he was pretty skillful on the ball and had a decent impact in the midfield.

His addition improves our quality further.

He has not been a goal scorer so far with 43 appearances for 1 goal but he should help us control the central midfield in both directions.

From the Wikipedia information he may also be a backup for Stajic in DM if we need it.

From the latest Men's signings it looks like we filled a lot of squad roles with youth and potential and are slowly adding in bits of quality as we target specific roles.

Early enough before season start to still have a cohesive group before game 1.

I am very interested to see what the team and our play look like tomorrow night. It is a long time between sightings when there is so much change about the club.

dr. bellows said:

Looks like a direct replacement for Klein in cm and backup dm, as you state. I think he was ok in League One without setting the world on fire. Injuries have hampered his progress I believe. The warmer weather might help a bit in that regard, fingers crossed. It's been an interesting rebuild so far with a number of big losses to try to cover. Pretty much in the dark but cautiously optimistic.

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"...cautiously optimistic"

What fools we are

Nam is a great improvement on Vrakas if that is the sort of role he will be playing. Francois for Klein. Probably Aldred with Bility and Valkanis at the back still seems vulnerable. King and Russell as fullbacks.

I think we have reason to be cautiously optimistic.

Got to love the seasonal reset.

11pm tonight we might see some of it in action on Persija Jakarta Youtube channel.

Roar Women's email:

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Roar lure rising star Rosie Curtis from Melbourne Victory​

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Brisbane Roar FC is pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Rosie Curtis for the 2026/27 Ninja A-League Women's season. Curtis joins the Roar after four seasons at Melbourne Victory, where she graduated from the Club's Elite Girls Program into the senior A-League Women's squad, making her debut in the 2022/23 season. The 21-year-old made close to 30 senior appearances for Victory and brings versatility across the park, along with finals experience from one of the competition's founding clubs. Head Coach Johnathan Clemente said, “Rosie is one the country's best kept secrets. A true professional, technically brilliant and has defensive qualities beyond her years. She will give us quality with and without the ball in the defence and midfield and am excited to watch her excel in Brisbane.” Speaking on joining the Roar, Curtis said, “I’m super excited to sign for Brisbane Roar and join such a special club. I’ve always loved coming to Brisbane to play against Roar, and the support from the fans has always been unbelievable, especially for the women’s team. I can’t wait to experience that as a Roar player and hopefully have a really successful season together. "I’m also really looking forward to working with Johno again after four years under his guidance at Victory. I’m excited to get started and be part of what we can achieve together.” ​

The coach praises Rosie Curtis highly.

Sounds like a good pilfering of Victory.

From the Roar Facebook page:

Stream for tonight's game

Half time on what seems to be a stinking hot night.

Aldred and Bility are our two CBs.
Stajic and Maeroni playing out of DM.
Nasso and Tate our fullbacks.
Ilic, Nam and Ngor are our forward line.
Postolachi playing up front.

Around 14 minutes in Bility thought it a good idea to drop his shoulder into a Persija forward in the box and running on goal. Gave away a penalty and it was converted. It is the sort of stupid foul that he has committed since he started with us.

Persija are basically defending their own half, and being a goal up they can afford to.

Ilic is not making his mark other than with some very nice long throws. He tends to have ideas that don't work out trying to play through and loses the ball.

Nasso is quite hesitant in his passing - underhitting a couple and looking a bit nervous.

Russell is shaping up OK.

Postolachi has not been given too many chances to shine; with us seeming quite happy to stuff around at the back passing safely. We are bringing the ball forward regularly but not with enough drive or intensity to do anything with it.

Ngor has had more opportunities to run with the ball but we are not getting in behind to create pressure and are choosing to turn back often.

Nam has been creative, and hit the left post on a free kick.

Persija hit the crossbar twice and maybe the right post too though so we are not even winning the woodworking competition.

Maeroni and Stajic are doing well creating mischief with the Persija attack - but we aren't looking strong through the middle - I think by choice practising safe control back and around rather than trying to bring it up the middle.

Persija are not fantastic on the ball but they are collectively more dangerous so far.

48' pass from Persija straight down the middle and we have no defender anywhere. Bility was up. Nasso was wide left. Aldred wide right. Bouzanis helplessand chipped.

55' Long throw by Persija headed on in the box and buried by the guy it was headed to.

Our defence is not looking close to good enough yet.

68' Russell subbed by Court.

73' Bility (on a yellow from his penalty) grabbed his opponent who had gone past him. Mindless and bloody lucky the ref is playing a 'friendly'.

76' Amanatidis and Lauton on for Postolachi and Nam.

84' Aldred, Stajic and Ngor subbed by Deng, Shaw and Vidic.

90' Nasso is cleaned up by a very late and nasty wipeout. Just a really cheap shot by the Persija player.

92' and Bility cements his place in Persija's starting XI with a back pass from the edge of the box that wrongfooted Bouzanis and all Bouzanis could do was get a foot on it and put it in the net to save Bility the embarrassment.