Adelaide United young guns, Carlo Armiento and Louis D’Arrigo, are determined to push on as they look to secure more first-team action moving forward.
For the second straight season, the Youth Player of the Year Award was won by two worthy recipients.
Armiento continued to impress for the Young Reds in the local National Premier League as well as the Foxtel Y-League.
The 19-year-old also managed to play five matches in the Hyundai A-League after making his debut against Melbourne Victory in December.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank Paul for giving me the opportunity in last year’s NPL we did pretty well to get to the finals,” Armiento said.
“And Marco this year to give me the opportunity, Goody (Craig Goodwin), Nikola (Mileusnić), (Jordan) Elsey and Isa (Isaías), it’s been a great experience.”
The versatile forward also stated no matter the competition or coach, the message of working hard, remains the same.
“I think Marco (Kurz) and Paul (Pezos) have the same standards and if you play NYL, NPL or A-League you just have to work hard,” he said.
He was also asked about that sensational assist to set up the winning goal against Brisbane Roar and complete a historic comeback.
“It just happened so quick I think at training we do a lot of crossing,” he said.
“So first thing on my mind was to whip the ball in and hoping Nikola was there and he did the job.”
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D’Arrigo, who currently captains the Young Reds, also enjoyed a stellar campaign across both competitions in midfield.
And the 17-year-old was also rewarded for his strong performances as he made his professional debut against Sydney FC in March.
He said it was a wonderful moment to achieve a dream and is confident of more opportunities in the future.
“That moment was very good for me obviously making my debut for my hometown team,” D’Arrigo said.
“It was very weird because I came on as a right-back but it was very good to be out there but hopefully there’s many more to come as a right-back or midfielder.”
Adelaide United Youth Head Coach, Paul Pezos, was proud of both D’Arrigo and Armiento and glad to see a number of other young players train with the first team.
“It’s always a good thing to see our youth pushing and playing in the A-League,” he said.
“And obviously training with the first team and Marco believing in these young boys and I think they’ve done quite a good job so far and their time will come eventually.”
The Reds have also made a strong start to the NPL season, as they lie equal fourth on the table.
“In terms of the NPL, for me I’ve been very happy that we built from on last season moving forward,” he said.
“And for me they’ve been playing a good brand of football and results have been going our way at the moment.”
Adelaide United host Melbourne City in a Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Elimination Final on Sunday, 5 May at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 6.30pm ACST. Gates open 5.30pm.
