16-year-old Terry Antonis could make his highly anticipated Hyundai A-League debut this Saturday night against the Central Coast Mariners at the Sydney Football Stadium after Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka included him in his final squad for the Round Four clash.
16-year-old Terry Antonis could make his highly anticipated Hyundai A-League debut this Saturday night against the Central Coast Mariners at the Sydney Football Stadium after Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka included him in his final squad for the Round Four clash.
Antonis has featured in a host of the Sky Blues preseason fixtures since signing a three-year contract with the club in July, including playing against Everton and the Blackburn Rovers and is now in line to make his A-League debut in the traditional local derby.
Should he make his debut appearance on Saturday night, Antonis would become the youngest ever player to pull on the Sky Blue jersey aged just 16 years and 286 days, easily eclipsing the previous record held by Nikolas Tsattalios (17 years, 225 days).
He would also become the third youngest player to play in the Hyundai A-League.
“It-s great being named in the 16-player team sheet for tomorrow-s game against the Central Coast,” Antonis said after training today. “It-ll be really amazing if I could come on. I think it-s going to be a really good game.”
“My goal for the season is to come on and play as many games as possible with the first team.
“I-ve been training well. It-s different to what I-m used to but I-m enjoying stepping up to the faster temp and I feel very comfortable.”
From Bankstown in Sydney-s South West, Antonis, regarded as a future national team star, said he is relishing being part of the Sydney FC set-up and is learning as much as he possibly can from his experienced teammates.
“It-s a massive step from the AIS to here as you-re training with older players with more experience,” he said.
“They-re bigger boys who are stronger and faster so you have to adjust to the game speed.
“I am feeling very good and will be ready if I get the chance.”
