Glory midfielder Andrija Jukic will hope to continue his impressive form in the youth competition when Perth tackles Melbourne at Members Equity Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Glory midfielder Andrija Jukic will hope to continue his impressive form in the youth competition when Perth tackles Melbourne at Members Equity Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Jukic has been one of the most impressive performers for Perth and is a regular at Glory-s A-League training as senior coach Dave Mitchell keeps close tabs on his progress.
“Andrija has done well and someone I-ve kept an eye on for a while. We invited him to be part of the club-s tour of China earlier this year and he did well and has continued his progression in the youth team,” Mitchell said.
The powerful midfielder has captained the Perth Glory Youth side since Tando Velaphi-s elevation to the senior team and a similar move could be on the cards for the 21 year old.
“If Andrija continues to play at a consistently high level then we-ll definitely look to give him a chance in the first team,” Mitchell said.
“He is technically good, can drift forward and score goals and also has excellent awareness.”
Solid performances and a sensational hat-trick against Sydney in round three have attracted attention from across the country and is yet another example of the benefits of the National Youth League in developing Australia-s young talent.
Jukic will again hope to exert his influence as Perth look to return to the winners list when they meet Melbourne at Members Equity Stadium. Helping the cause will be experienced defender David Tarka who will step-out for a second week with the youth team as part of his recovery from a quad injury.
Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
Members Equity Stadium, Saturday 6 December
Local kick off 3.00pm
Referee: Troy Miller
Perth Glory squad: Dejan ALEKSIC (gk), Eli BABALJ, Ludovic BOI, Hayden DOYLE, Dean EVANS, Howard FONDYKE, Lewis HALL, Steven HESKETH, Andrija JUKIC, Frank JURIC (gk) (OA), Adam LUCA, Scott NEVILLE, Ryan PEARSON, James SAMMUT, David TARKA (OA), Reece VITTIGLIA
* One to be omitted
Unavailable: Brent GRIFFITHS (injured – groin), Liam HARVEY (leg – 1 week), Anthony SKORICH (abdominal strain – 1 week)
Melbourne Victory squad: Sebastian MATTEI (gk), Matthew FOSCHINI, Steve PANTELIDIS (OA), Cameron DRAKE, Aziz BEHICH, Dimitri HATZIMOURATIS, Mathew THEODORE, Milos LUJIC, Leigh BROXHAM, Sebastian RYALL, Daniel VASILEVSKI (OA), Steven PACE (OA), Nathan ELASI
*Two to be included
Unavailable: Antonio LA VERDE (knee – season), Andy JEREZ (broken leg – season), Mijo MARINOVIC (knee – indefinite)
