Perth Glory youth will battle it out with the Newcastle Jets this Saturday at Clipsal stadium, in a match that could see them take out the minor premiership.
Perth Glory youth will battle it out with the Newcastle Jets this Saturday at Clipsal stadium, in a match that could see them take out the minor premiership.
The Perth youngsters are currently sitting equal top on the National Youth League table, with only goal difference separating them with the Central Coast Mariners.
Outstanding young striker Ludovic Boi says the squad is looking forward to this weekend-s match and that finishing the home and away season with a win would be the perfect ending to a solid year.
“Everyone is up for the match this weekend and keen to get out there. Hopefully we can get the three points and if the other results go our way we can sneak up on top.
“It-ll be good to finish a strong season on top of the table and I think we-ve definitely go the squad to do it,” Boi said.
After having a bye last week, Boi says the team is rested and feeling good heading into their clash with the Jets.
“Last week we trained a bit more lightly than we usually would so we could refresh ourselves and give our bodies a rest.
“I think the break will serve us well and hopefully when we play Newcastle we-ll go into the game 100% and get the win,” Boi said.
The team will be tested this weekend with influential players Steve Hesketh, Glen Trifro and Dean Evans all sidelined with injury.
Boi believes that while the squad will miss the presence of the talented trio, he is confident the boys will pull together and adjust to the changes.
Their replacements will most likely be brought in from the National Training Centre, which will give Youth Coach Gareth Naven the opportunity to trial some fresh faces in preparation for next season.
“We-ve had to move players around a bit but I think we-ll all adjust well to the new positions.
“I think we can beat any team out there even if we have a few players missing.
“We-ve got good depth in our squad and I think that Gareth knows whether the players we bring into replace them will be able to step up to the plate and I think we should be fine,” Boi said.
With a home final all but secured for the youth lads, Boi says ending the season on a high will give them the boost they need in preparation for their first finals campaign.
“The more wins we get the more confident we get. I think if we finish the league with a win it will really lift the team and even if we don-t have our whole squad we should perform well.
“We-ve got a lot of depth and we-re pretty confident going into this weekend and the finals,” Boi said.
National Youth League Round 27
Perth Glory v Newcastle Jets
Saturday 6 March 2010 at Clipsal Stadium, Perth
Local Kick-Off: 5.00pm
Referee: Steven Gregory
Perth Glory Squad: Tommy AMPHLETT, Ludovic BOI, Tim DOYLE (gk), Hayden DOYLE, Howard FONDYKE, Mario MARCINKO, Sam MITCHINSON, Alex PEARSON (gk), Ryan PEARSON, Joshua RISDON, Anthony SKORICH, Reece VITTIGLIA
*three to be included*
Unavailable: Million BUTSHIIRE (knee – 1 week), Cameron EDWARDS (foot – 10 weeks), Glen TRIFIRO (2 weeks), Steve HESKETH (groin – 1 week), Dean EVANS (hip – 1 week)
Newcastle Jets:Will ANGEL, Dylan MURPHY, Scott BALDERSON, Damian BROSQUE, Jon GRIFFITHS, Mario SIMIC, Fabian IACOVELLI, Jesse PINTO, Adrian KARAKOLEVSKI, Taylor REGAN (c), Jarrad ROSS, Matt SIM, James VIRGILI, Dion SHAW (gk), Robbie KOLAK (gk)
Unavailable: Nil
