Sydney FC’s new-look National Youth League side will be chasing back to back wins this weekend when it plays host to the Newcastle Jets but the players have admitted that they haven’t had much time to study their opponent – they’re too busy trying to get to know each other.
Sydney FC-s new-look National Youth League side will be chasing back to back wins this weekend when it plays host to the Newcastle Jets but the players have admitted that they haven-t had much time to study their opponent – they-re too busy trying to get to know each other.
“We-ve only been together a week or two,” said midfielder Iain Ramsay. “Other clubs have been training together for a while during the preseason but we haven-t spent much time together as a team.”
Forward, Dimitri Petratos believes Sydney-s juniors have no time to waste when it comes to getting acquainted.
“We just have to do things quick,” he explained. “We-ve got to work out each other-s techniques and ability with the ball.
The Junior Sky Blues bade farewell to two key members of their team this week, with Captain, Sam Munro and defender, Sam Gallagher departing for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt with the Qantas Young Socceroos.
Despite the disruption, just one round into the season, Head Coach, Steve O-Connor has been working to keep the team focused, with an emphasis on their attitude.
“He-s (O-Connor) been getting the boys to come in the mornings to work on their football,” said Ramsay. “He-s creating a very professional environment.”
“When it-s time to joke, we joke, but when we-re on the field getting ready, we-re focused,” echoed Petratos.
Despite being an almost completely new team, Sydney-s 2009/10 NYL side is confident it can capture the winning mentality of last season-s squad, and emulate its success – not just in terms of trophies, but also by unearthing some exciting new stars.
“(The) coach aims for the professional type of training that they have overseas,” Ramsay said. “He-s trying to push the boys up to (the) A-League (squad) as quickly as possible.”
This Sunday Sydney FC-s Youth side will again be in action in a curtain-raiser to the main game at the SFS. The round-two clash with the Newcastle Jets is set to kick-off at 12:15pm. Gates at the ground open at midday.
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