Queensland Roar Women’s coach Jeff Hopkins is expecting opposition teams to pay special attention to his side when they kick off the inaugural Westfield W-League season at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) tomorrow.
Hopkins- star-studded line-up will present a double-edged sword in the initial stages of the campaign as teams look to feel each other out in a league of unknowns.
With a number of Australian representatives in the Roar squad, Hopkins said opposition teams would know what to expect from his team, but the former Welsh international wasn-t complaining.
“I see it as an advantage really,” Hopkins said. “I-m dealing with the best players in the country so I-d much rather be in my position.
“Teams will be setting themselves up to try and stop us play and it-s down to us to actually break teams down.”
With 16 of his 20 squad members having represented Australia (including 10 current Matildas), Hopkins- team has already been touted as potential favourites.
“We-ll let everyone else do all the talking about that,” he said. “We-re confident that we-ve got a strong squad and we-ll do well this year.
“As a team I think people won-t be surprised but they-ll be pretty happy with the brand of football we play. Every player we-ve got on the field is comfortable with the ball at their feet.”
Inaugural captain Kate McShea said the prospect of running out on the QSAC ground tomorrow was an exciting one.
“We-ve been talking about the W-League all year and it-s finally here so we-re just looking to get off to a good start if possible,” McShea said.
“The girls were all presented with our jerseys last night which was a nice touch and it kind of lets us feel like we-re really here and ready to play and ready to get into it.”
The Matildas defender was hoping for a big home crowd to support them against Adelaide United tomorrow evening.
“Already there-s people coming up to me that don-t normally come to football matches and saying they-re going to be out here on Saturday.
“And as many people wearing orange as we can get out there would be really brilliant.”
Queensland Roar Women will take on Adelaide United Women at Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC), Kessels Rd, Nathan on Saturday at 5pm (gates open at 4.30pm).
Tickets are available from the gate. Adults $5, concessions and Roar members $2 and children under 14 are free.
