The National Youth League is a third of the way through the season, in what is proving to be a very tight competition.
The National Youth League is a third of the way through the season, in what is proving to be a very tight competition.
Ian Crook-s Sydney FC squad have been part of some high scoring encounters with more than six goals scored in four of the six games this season.
The season opened with a 1-1 draw at home to Adelaide United. Mitchell Mallia gave a taste of things to come with a goal, but it wasn-t enough to gain all three points.
The week 2 home fixture against Melbourne Heart, coached by former Sydney FC legend John Aloisi, was the first of the aforementioned high scoring encounters.
Mitchell Mallia picked up where he left off by scoring a hat trick as the Sky Blues romped to an impressive 5-1 victory.
First teamers Shannon Cole and Dimitri Petratos were both included in the line-up for the week 3 clash against Central Coast Mariners.
Unfortunately though, they couldn-t inspire the Sky Blues to a victory as they went down 1-0 in a hard fought encounter.
The long away trip to face Perth Glory was next up, with the Sydney FC squad looking to bounce back from the defeat.
Mallia continued his unbelievable form by netting another hat trick, as Joel Chianese and Petratos joined him on the scoresheet in a 5-2 win.
The attack was firing on all cylinders and Melbourne Victory was next in line to face its force.
Juho Makela and Hiro Moriyasu were included in the side in what turned out to be a comprehensive victory.
The Sky Blues were 4-0 up at the break thanks to a double from Makela, one from Chianese and yet another goal from Mallia.
Although Melbourne Victory pulled one back in the second half, Tomislav Mijic popped up with his first goal of the season to put the icing on the cake.
Week 6 saw a shock defeat by the AIS in Canberra. Mallia scored again, as did captain Jared Lum and Blake Powell, but the Sky Blues went down 4-3, having gone 3-0 down early.
That match could prove to be the wake up call that they need, heading in to this weekend-s match against Brisbane Roar.
Like their first team counterparts, Brisbane sits on top of the table, one point clear of Melbourne Heart. Sydney FC are sitting fifth, but only three points adrift of the league leaders, bringing this match into even sharper focus for the squad.
Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar
Leichhardt Oval
Saturday, December 3
Kick off: 4pm AEDT
