Young Jaiden Kucharski has been banging in the goals for the Sydney FC NSW NPL team.
The 19-year old has been instrumental in ensuring the Sky Blues young guns proudly sit on top of the NSW NPL Men’s 1 division with 11 goals in nine games.
Kucharski has been with Sydney FC’s Academy since the inaugural season when he joined the club’s under 14’s.
We caught up with him to chat about his fantastic start to the season.
Why do you think the team has started off so well?
We’ve got a really good bunch of boys and the team dynamic is excellent. We are all very close and we’ve been playing some really good football which makes my job easier up front; I’ve just got to put away the chances.
I think we’ve got more experience in the first grade this season compared to last season, when we were affected by Covid and that has given us more consistency.
What have you learned at the Sydney FC Academy?
I’ve been working with Kelly Cross on getting into the right areas in the box and poaching once I’m there, which has really helped.
A few years ago we also had Shane Smeltz at the club, he was a world class attacker and helped me to learn how to create chances for myself and it’s paying off.
What sort of a striker are you?
I’d say I like to be creative and ruthless in front of goal. I like to create chances and score but if there is a better option I will play that.
I’ve had all sorts of goals this season, goal poaching, one on ones and long range efforts. I’m quick off the mark so I enjoy getting beyond the final defender as well.
Why do you think you have done so well this season?
I always knew I had the ability but I had a few injuries last season and being fit week in, week out has really allowed me to play and get sharper. I’m now taking the chances I’m getting.
Which have been your favourite goals?
My most enjoyable goal was the goal against Sydney Olympic where I picked up the ball from the centre circle and drove to the edge of the box. My shot beat the keeper on the left side from there.
Or it was against Sydney United last weekend. I received a ball over the top from Oscar Priestman and it was a left foot volley across goal into the bottom right corner.
What are your ambitions from this season?
Personally, I think I want to be the top goalscorer in the league. We want to make finals for the first time in NPL history for Sydney FC and then take out the Grand Final.
