Adelaide United’s Foxtel Y-League 2018/19 season begins on Saturday afternoon when they host Melbourne Victory at the VALO Football Centre – The Parks.
The team will be coached by Youth Team boss, Paul Pezos, in what provides another competition for the players to continue their development.
Like previously, 10 teams will be split into two conferences with Adelaide again featuring in Conference A alongside: Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory, Brisbane Roar, and Perth Glory.
The Reds missed out on the Grand Final in 2017/18 after finishing third behind the two Melbourne clubs.
Pezos said his main aim as Head Coach is to ensure his players maintain their progress.
“Obviously we’re looking to develop players and play a good quality brand of football,” Pezos said.
“We finished off the (local National Premier League) NPL season quite well and we just want to improve on last season.”
However, his squad, in terms of personnel availability, will be very much dependent on what happens in the senior team on a week-to-week basis.
Introducing the #AUFC Legends squad to take on the Australian Defence Force on Remembrance Day. Gates open at 1:30pm. #RemembranceRound
🔊 SOUND ON. Who remembers this song?! 😆
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— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) November 6, 2018
Nevertheless, Pezos said there are several talented youngsters in his side to look out for.
“We’ve got the ones that already have scholarships (with the senior team),” he said.
“The likes of Carlo (Armiento), Louis (D’Arrigo), Pacifique (Niyongabire) and all that.
“But also we’ve brought in some additional players, some players have stepped up from our Reserves Team pushing for the NYL to become NPL players.
“So we’ve got good young, prospective players coming through as well and it’s about giving them an opportunity as well.”
Pezos expects another tough campaign but is anticipating the two Melbourne teams to again be very competitive.
“All the teams are quite strong and they’ve got a good set up,” he said.
“They work closely with their first teams, obviously Melbourne City is probably the toughest opponent within their right.
“But we’re up for a challenge and we won’t stop until the city blows.”
On Saturday’s opening round match against Victory, Pezos revealed there is still an element of the unknown despite knowing some aspects of their style.
“We’re not too sure, I mean every year it’s different because you’re always turning players over,” he explained.
“Again, we know that they’re a strong, organised team and play good football.
“That’s all we can do at the moment, just worry about us and what we’re trying to do and play and then we can revisit that the next time we play them.”
Adelaide United youth host Melbourne Victory in Round 1 of the Foxtel Y-League 2018/19 season on Saturday, 10 November at VALO Football Centre – The Parks. Kick-off is at 4.30pm.
