Perth Glory youth is fired up for a massive top-of-the-table clash against the Central Coast Mariners at Clipsal Staduim this Saturday.
Perth Glory youth is fired up for a massive top-of-the-table clash against the Central Coast Mariners at Clipsal Staduim this Saturday.
After a dissapointing road trip in Melbourne and Adelaide, the squad is determined to get the three points against the Mariners and knock them off top spot.
Glory midfielder Cameron Edwards says that while it was a tough losing their first game in nine matches against Adelaide, the boys remain in good spirits.
“With both of those matches we were a bit unlucky so we just want to get back to the form we were in and continue what we were doing before.
“It was probably a good thing to see what it felt like to lose after being on such a long unbeaten run.
“We were disappointed and we don-t want to feel like that again,” Edwards said.
The talented youngster, who made his debut for the Glory youth team as an injury replacement player last season, was selected for the Under 17 World Cup squad played in Vietnam in mid 2009.
Edwards says that playing for the young Socceroos gave him the confidence to step up this season and become a regular fixture in the youth squad.
“It was a very good experience to play for the first team for Australia. It was a great travelling to different parts of the world and to play against different teams.
“It definitely helped me to improve and develop my football,” Edwards said.
Turning his attentions to this weekend-s match, Edwards says that although Perth has gotten the better of the Mariners in their previous two encounters, the boys aren-t being complacent about this crucial game.
A win on Saturday could see them placed one point above Central Coast and reclaim the leading position on the ladder.
“At the moment we-re all feeling positive and feeling really good. We-re still bonding well within the squad.
“The Mariners are always a tough opposition but it-s a very important game this weekend with the competition being so tight at the top of the table.
“We-re quite confident having beaten them twice before, so I think we-ll use that and do it again on Saturday,” Edwards said.
National Youth League 2009/10- Round 20
Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 30 January 2010 at Clipsal Stadium, Perth
Local Kick-Off: 5.00pm (8.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Mathew Cheeseman
Perth Glory Squad: Tommy AMPHLETT, Ludovic BOI, Tim DOYLE (gk), Cameron EDWARDS, Dean EVANS, Howard FONDYKE, Brent GRIFFITHS, Steve HESKETH, Mario MARCINKO, Sam MITCHINSON, Alex PEARSON (gk), Ryan PEARSON, David PRICE, Joshua RISDON, Glen TRIFIRO, Reece VITTIGLIA, Aleks VRTESKI (gk)
*two to be omitted*
Unavailable: Million BUTSHIIRE (knee – 6 weeks), Anthony SKORICH (suspended)
Central Coast Mariners squad: Matthew RYAN (GK), Nikodin MATIC (GK), Shane HUKE (OA), Jonathan BROWN (OA), Panny NIKAS (C), Matthew LEWIS, Matthew LIDDALL, Nathan SHERLOCK, Brady SMITH, Jerry KALOURIS, Brendan GRIFFIN, Nick FITZGERALD, Bernie IBINI-ISEI, Luka DUKIC, Adam ORMSBY, Gavin FORBES, Mitchell MALLIA.
*two to be omitted*
Unavailable: Manny GIANNAROS (groin – 1 week)
