Perth Glory Youth will be full of confidence on the back of a three game winning streak as they go head to head with the AIS in Canberra this Sunday.
Perth Glory Youth will be full of confidence on the back of a three game winning streak as they go head to head with the AIS in Canberra this Sunday.
Having climbed their way to fourth on the table, just two points shy of top spot, the Glory youngsters are determined to extend their unbeaten run.
Perth defender Josh Ridson was one of 11 players out with injury at the beginning of the season but has worked hard to get back to full fitness and become an important part of the squad.
“I was out for quite a while but now I-m back in and getting game time and getting my fitness back. It-s coming together really well for me and most importnatnly, for the team,” Risdon said.
“I-m really enjoying my experience in the youth league. I played a few games last year but this year I-m at the right level and stepping up each week.”
Ridson says one of the keys to Perth-s recent run of success has been the opportunity to train alongside the Glory-s senior squad and emulate their intensity on the training track and in games.
“It-s really good training with the first team because it-s more intense and I-m learning a lot from them,” said Risdon.
“Having the more experienced players come down is great because of their professionalism in the way they play and how they carry themselves.”
Perth has taken maximum points in their previous two encounters against the AIS this season, both games turning into a shootout with an incredible 12 goals scored.
“The AIS have a good squad and can score so we need to look to shut them down,” said Risdon.
“We-re all pretty confident about playing the AIS and really just looking forward to every time we can step out on the pitch together as a team because we-re playing good football and want to keep that winning feeling going.
“We-re in the top four which is good but there is no reason we can go even higher and we will be looking to do that in the coming weeks,” Risdon said.
National Youth League 2009/10 – Rd14
AIS v Perth Glory
Sunday, 13 December 2009 at AIS Athletics Track, Canberra
Local kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Chris Boyle
AIS Squad: Eli BABALJ, Jake BARKER-DAISH, Christopher BUSH, Alex CERRUTO, Kevin DAVISON, Patrick DIXON, Brendan HAMILL, Kamal IBRAHIM, Lachlan TIBBLES (GK), Jared LUM, Aaron PETERSON, Trent SAINSBURY, Nikola STANOJEVIC (C), Lawrence THOMAS (GK), Marc WARREN
Unavailable: Sam GALLAWAY (knee- 3 weeks), Curtis GOOD (knee – 3 weeks), Scott MELLISH (knee – 4 weeks), David TALEVSKI (broken leg – indefinite), Jason GERIA (groin – 4 weeks), Mustafa AMINI (leg – 1-2 weeks ), Terry ANTONIS (groin – 4 weeks), Stephen DOMENICI (ankle – 4-6 weeks), Aaron LENNOX (dental surgery – 1 week)
Perth Glory Squad: Tommy AMPHLETT, Ludovic BOI, Million BUTSHIIRE, Eugene DADI (OA), Cameron EDWARDS, Dean EVANS, Howard FONDYKE, Steve HESKETH, Mario MARCINKO, Sam MITCHINSON, Alex PEARSON (gk), Ryan PEARSON, Joshua RISDON, Adam TAGGART, Glen TRIFIRO, Aleks VRTESKI (gk) (OA)
*one to be omitted
Unavailable: Hayden DOYLE (knee – 6 weeks), David PRICE (knee – 1 week), Reece VITTIGLIA (broken arm – 2 weeks)
