Roar’s O’Shea and Leeds’ Cooper to put friendship aside in Queensland Champions Cup

The Queensland Champions Cup has brought together great friends and former Chesterfield teammates Liam Cooper and Jay O’Shea.

Leeds United skipper Liam Cooper is ready for the Queensland Champions Cup. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Friends will become foes on Thursday night when former Chesterfield teammates Liam Cooper and Jay O’Shea lock horns in the Queensland Champions Cup.

Cooper’s Leeds United takes on O’Shea’s Brisbane Roar at Cbus Super Stadium in the opening match of three-team pre-season tournament that also includes Leeds’ English Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

“We’re expecting a very tough game,” defender Cooper said of Leeds’ imminent battle with the Roar.

“Jay’s told me how fit you need to be to play in the A-League, and as team we’re expecting a hard game, and one we can enjoy and hopefully try to implement what we’ve been practising.”

Leeds’ visit to Queensland has allowed Cooper and O’Shea at catch up on old times, with the pair not having seen each other since O’Shea’s wedding day three years ago.

However, the friendship will be put on hold for 90 minutes on Thursday.

“It’s pre-season for us so we’ll be taking the game seriously,” Cooper said.

“Being here gives us the chance to work out what we want to be as a team and this experience gives us plenty of time to do that.”

Liam Cooper expects a tough battle against the Roar. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Following their battle with the Roar, Leeds take on Villa at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

“We know Aston Villa, they’re at the same stage in their pre-season, and it’s another tough game playing against top-quality opposition, and it’s one we’re looking forward to,” Cooper said.

The Cup concludes in Townsville next Wednesday night when Villa meet the Roar.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, who presented Leeds coach Jesse Marsch with a commemorative surf board at Kurrawa Beach on Tuesday, said: “This is every soccer fan’s dream as we welcome two powerhouse English Premier League clubs to Queensland.

“I’m delighted to see that away from the competition, the clubs will run training camps here on the coast.

“This will give our local talent the chance to experience the skills training and preparation that goes into creating world-class EPL teams.”