One of Spain’s best football clubs, Villarreal CF will play two friendly matches against A-League sides Adelaide United and the Brisbane Roar.
Founded in 1923, Villarreal are nicknamed El Submarino Amarillo (The Yellow Submarine) and are a great example of a small but successful club. Despite being one of the most well known clubs across the world, their home ground El Madrigal holds just 24,890 spectators.
Runners-up in the 2007-08 La Liga, at the end of Round 30 the club stand at sixth position behind the likes of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. While winning trophies in Spain is notoriously difficult if your club does not feature the words ‘Madrid’ or ‘Barcelona’ in its name, Villarreal have managed to stay close to the big boys despite the obvious disadvantages.
The friendlies will be apart of the LFP World Challenge, a tournament organised by La Liga to take friendly matches around the world to promote the competition overseas.
“Villarreal is one of Spain’s most well-known clubs and we’re delighted to welcome them to Brisbane and to be involved in the LFP World Challenge”, said Brisbane Roar managing director Sean Dobson.
“This is another great chance for our members and fans to see world-class football in Brisbane, making this off-season one to be enjoyed.”
The matches will be played six weeks before Liverpool take on both clubs. Visits to Australia by Liverpool and other English Premier League clubs have been successful in the past two years, but it remains to be seen whether the Spanish sides will have the same pulling power.
Adelaide United versus Villarreal CF – Friday 29 May 2015, Coopers Stadium (Kick-off: 7.30pm)
Brisbane Roar versus Villarreal CF – Wednesday 3 June 2015, Suncorp Stadium (Kick-off: TBD)
Josh
Guest
We turned the offer down Az, the team needs a rest. Please no noise in Western Sydney after 8pm for several months.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
We've entertained enough with our AFC Champions League title. It would have been good if we had played Real Madrid in FIFA Club World Cup however.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Wow good work Adelaide and Brisbane. Cmon WSW let's entertain some guests!
BtoThePower3
Guest
As the league grows, the fans grow too. They have grown to be more sophisticated; they do not make comments as much as before. However, the Brisbane Roar's current situation is worrying. As such, one cannot help commenting. Would it be suitable to make Donachie to play a central defensive role like Paartalu used to play? When Paartalu played, some fans criticized that he just kicked the ball back all the time. However, apparently, Donachie seems to have better foot work than Paartalu. Also, they are both very tall. Consider the formation: Theo Polenz, North, Devere, Stefanutto Brattan, Donachie, Lustica Borrello, Kaluđerović, Broich Some of the positions above can be varied: Polenz or Bowles; Lustica or Clut, etc; Brown or Stefanutto; etc, etc. However, the central idea of this formation is the central triangle in the defence: North, Devere and Donachie. If the opponent aims at the left back, then Devere moves to cover while Donachie fills up the hole that Devere has made. The same is for the right back; if North moves to cover Polenz then Donachie moves to fill up the space North has made. Nothing is prefect, but the good thing of this formation is the aerial attack and defence. North is very fast and destructive. If North, Devere and Donachie are there, then both the left and right backs have no pressure of losing a corner. These 3 players should be very safe in defending a corner kick by the opposition. Also, corner kicks are opportunities for counter attack. If Roar's opponent fails in making an advantage on a corner kick, then the Roar players can organize counter attack. Also, with the height of Donachie, Roar can send some long crossings from the wingers occasionally. Roar's way of play has been appealing. However, the strategy should evolve a bit. Maybe, Donachie may keep kicking the ball back to the full backs always like what Paartalu did, if he is to play a central defender's role. However, once the defence has been strengthened, good results may come.
elrollo
Guest
Yes, two years in a row! long may it continue.
Bondy
Guest
This is almost becoming annual for Adelaide ..