With eight wins from nine matches Sydney FC has clearly established itself as the team to beat in race for the inaugural National Youth League title but prolific striker, Sean Rooney is chasing an illustrious record of his own as he looks to become the competition’s first-ever Golden Boot winner.
With eight wins from nine matches Sydney FC has clearly established itself as the team to beat in race for the inaugural National Youth League title but prolific striker, Sean Rooney is chasing an illustrious record of his own as he looks to become the competition-s first-ever Golden Boot winner.
Reclaiming top spot on the scorers list with another outstanding double last weekend against the Newcastle Jets, his third of the competition, the 19-year-old is looking to maintain his stunning form as the season progresses.
“I set myself a goal to score in every game this season and so far from the nine games I-ve played I-ve got nine goals, so hopefully I can keep it up,” said Rooney.
Although the Sky Blues succumbed to their first defeat of the season against the Jets last Saturday, Rooney has no doubt the squad will return to its best when it takes on the Central Coast Mariners in an important match this weekend.
“We didn’t do too badly against Newcastle, but they worked hard and got the result,” he said. “I’m sure we can bounce back this week. It’s always good to play in a local derby so I’m looking forward to it.”
With his lethal finishing in front of goal helping Sydney-s youngsters open up a seven-point lead at the top of the Youth League table, the teenager is confident his side can maintain its dominance over the remaining nine rounds of the regular season.
“We have a good gap at the moment so if we keep working hard it shouldn’t be too difficult to take out the Minor Premiership and we-ll see how we go from there.”
While he-s thoroughly enjoying his first season in the Youth League, the young striker admits it would be a dream-come-true to pull on the senior Sky Blue jersey and take to the pitch alongside some of his football heroes like John Aloisi and Steven Corica.
“I would definitely like the opportunity to play with the senior side, so hopefully I can break into the first team by the end of the year,” added Rooney. “I have had the chance to train with the senior players with Aloisi, Corica and Bridge all giving me a bit of advice on how to finish, so it-s been really good.”
Rooney will look to continue his rich vein of form when the Sky Blues travel away to face local rivals, the Central Coast on Saturday at 4pm.
The match will be played as a curtain raiser to what is set to be another classic Hyundai A-League clash between Sydney FC and the Mariners, with that game kicking off in Gosford at 7pm.
