Mirko Boland is hoping tomorrow night’s SA Bushfire Relief Fundraiser at Marden Sports Complex can raise as much money as possible.
Boland will feature in the Adelaide United XI against the Football SA All-Stars with football doing their bit to support those affected by the recent South Australian bushfires that devastated parts of Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills.
The German midfielder said the fires made it on the news back home and revealed he had family members ask him a lot of questions about it.
“It’s incredible and makes me really sad and if you think of that and how many people lost their homes and all the wildlife,” he told reporters at Marden.
“When I heard one third of the population of koalas have died and I’ve been once also to Kangaroo Island, and to see the pictures now how it looks like right now there that makes me really sad.”
The 32-year-old admitted Gertjan Verbeek, who will coach the Reds XI, also discussed the importance of tomorrow night, generating much needed funds, and that disasters of this magnitude put things into perspective.
“The coach told us and everyone knows what it means to Australia,” he said.
“Australia is such a beautiful country and with all the wildlife here, the nature it’s really, really important.
“That’s what I said before, football is not everything in life, it’s a big part maybe more in Europe than here.
“But when you lose your home, and lose friends, lose family and also all the wildlife, so many animals have died – that means much more than just football.
“It’s a good reason to raise money tomorrow and that’s the aim.”
Boland said the game provides a good opportunity to get more minutes under his belt and impress his Dutch boss.
“I feel really close to 100% fit and I want to be back in the team and that’s a good opportunity to show the coach that I want to be back,” he continued.
“I have a lot of experience and I know what are my strengths. It doesn’t mean I want to score three goals, I just have to play the game for what I’ve to do on my position and that’s an important thing and the coach knows that.”
Adelaide United face Brisbane Roar in Round 18 of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season on Saturday, 8 February at Suncorp Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.00pm ACDT. Live and Exclusive on Fox Sports, Kayo Sports and the My Football Live App.
