July 09
QUEENSLAND coach Frank Farina has not ruled out making a late swoop on any Palmeiras players who catch his eye in Saturday night's 'Roar Against Racism' clash.
Places at the Suncorp Stadium clash are at a premium in Farina's 23-man playing roster, with Scotsman Charlie Miller, on trial, poised to become the club's 22nd signing.
Farina could elect to keep a spot up his sleeve, but said he was always looking for talent.
Saturday's clash offers an opportunity to scout several members of a young but talented Palmeiras squad that has an average age of less than 20.
Two of the Brazilian club's tour party expected to stand out are midfielder and captain Reinaldo, 24, and striker Beto, 21.
Both have returned to Palmeiras after loan stints at smaller clubs and are keen to make an impression to ensure they have a future in Brazil, Europe or perhaps Australia.
"Reinaldo and Beto are probably the two most experienced players that are here," Palmeiras coach Jorge Luis da Silva said via an interpreter.
"They'll see this game as a goal of trying to achieve staying here by getting an offer from an Australian club, or going somewhere else overseas."
Da Silva, a former Brazilian international better known as Jorginho, said the quality of the 17-man Palmeiras squad should not be questioned, despite the absence of the club's best players who are currently contesting the Brazilian first division championship.
"They are already winners because they've personally achieved something that's very important in their lives - playing for one of the biggest clubs in Brazil," he said.
"We're really taking it very seriously."
It's a way for the players to show the club that they deserve to be playing in the Brazilian league right now.
"If we lose, it will be a negative for Brazilian football. The players know they have something to protect. They know they have to do well."
Despite the Roar's A-League campaign not starting until August 17, Farina said Saturday's clash signalled the beginning of Queensland's "season".
He had noticed training had lifted in intensity in the past week .
"For our players it's a wonderful opportunity to compare themselves against some good players," Farina said.
"It doesn't matter what side they put out. If they have a squad of 40 or 50 players, we know they're going to be good players that we're playing against. This is where it starts for us."
Former Rangers midfielder Miller will make his Roar debut on Saturday night, but Farina is likely to wait until the second half to thrust the playmaker into action.
He said Miller's nous would prove vital, not only this game but during the club's 2008-09 campaign if, as he expected, the Scot signed on the dotted line.
Roar midfielder David Dodd has been ruled out of the clash after suffering a nasty gash to his ankle at training at Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre yesterday.
Source: http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23995960-5003412,00.html
