A really challenging game against the Qld State side tonight saw us pinch a 2-0 win.
You can watch the replay on youtube here:
Surprising line-up from Valkanis, with very little of the normal starting 11 - and a lot of the newest faces instead.
The play was unsurprisingly disjointed with the appearance of some of our first pre-season games when no-one had really played competitive football with each other. That said, we took most control for the first 20 minutes before the State side got their act together - which makes sense with them coming from all over to make the squad too.
The early game time was where the individual skills of the Roar players outweighed the individual skills of their opponents until the State side settled in to each others' games.
The last 10-15 minutes of the game really belonged to the State side despite us picking up our second goal in that period. It was much like a youth team against seniors in that last quarter hour - Roar positioned themselves to get the ball but without the commitment or strength needed and the State players bulling their way through. It meant the State side had some strong and dangerous runs through 2 and 3 Roar players which is something Valkanis will have noted for 'real' games.
We looked quite tired as the game wore on and we wore out - again likely a symptom of players new to the starting line-up and team and lacking match fitness.
Long often ran offside expecting a quicker ball through - his frustration was obvious and increasing as the game went on.
Bility and Valkanis were our two centrebacks (so much for my 3 at the back thoughts), with McGarry and Salas as the two fullbacks and Stakic playing a deep defensive midfield and often dropping between the two centrebacks when we brought the ball out. Both CBs played well without seeming to outright dominate the space.
Salas showed the confusion for players just coming together - getting caught up running into the same space as others or anticipating actions that did not follow. That aside, he was very useful and will settle into the team quickly.
Vrakas played well but showed a bit of frustration at times. He will have to keep that under control or it will cost him (and us) unnecessary cards. He actually got carded when he ignored the ref and refused to walk off the far side of the pitch when he was subbed. Mindless stupidity that Valkanis will obviously not let pass unmentioned.
Have to wonder how long Lauton will keep his heavy head of hair in the Qld summer. I can only imagine how hot it would make his head. He played a good game too with some strength in challenges and winning balls with his commitment and pace.
Vidic is a large unit who seems to lumber around a bit but I would say that is deceptive. He likes the ball to him or over his head to run onto - often putting himself goalside of his defender to use his body to give him free run on any ball coming over the top.
Finally found out who the mysterious number 33 has been for us in pre-season games: Noah Maieroni - our Young Roar captain and a left winger who seems to play as a defensive mid to central mid more than a clean winger in the games I have seen.
The State side made sure that many Roar players took home some commemorative marks - as I expect from NPL players against the fancy pants league players. The ref took too long to start carding them though - seeming to believe there is such a thing as a friendly match. Late in the match the contact became a bit more agricultural and a few cards did follow. We were not exactly saints either by that time.
Definitely a step backwards in our performance tonight with the number of new and lesser used faces in the side - but that is exactly what pre-season is for and it does nothing to detract from our form when players are familiar with each other. Plenty of good play on show and they will settle in to the team well.
A shout out to the State side - they stuck it to us - and it was not their best side either with some players unavailable who would have made the run on side.
Looking forward to the game at AJ Kelly Park on Tuesday night.
