Adelaide United’s Youth Team will today face off against Sydney FC’s Youth Team at Central Coast Stadium for the chance of being crowned Foxtel National Youth League (NYL) Champions.
The Young Reds’ last suffered defeat against Brisbane Roar in Round 6 of their NYL domestic competition, but has since overridden strong Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory youth sides, winning each match 2-1 at home and away respectively.
Commenting on his side’s chances in the Final, United’s Youth Team Head Coach, Michael Valkanis, said their job is far from over and nothing short of a complete performance is expected on Saturday afternoon.
“As a group after winning the State League and going into the NYL we generated a lot of momentum and as group we said this is the game we want to be in,” said Valkanis.
“However, this NYL season, you have to get the results in a short space of time, so the boys have done that by playing good football and we hope to emulate our good season when we come up against Sydney.
“Our boys deserve to be in a Grand Final, they are heavily focused on the task at hand and we hope to give it everything this weekend.”
In looking at the opposition, Valkanis knows quite well how the Young Sky Blues like to play, and is adamant that his side will need to bring their best to overcome their fierce opposition.
“They’re going to be a challenge,” said Valkanis. “It’ll be an interesting game of football as we are a team who want the ball and want to dominate possession and they like to eliminate teams who want possession of the football so this match couldn’t be scripted any better.
“So we have to be very patient and aggressive in trying to get into those areas, to penetrate and create goal scoring chances.
“But like I said, they are very well organised, physical and it’s a Grand Final so it’s going to be a very interesting game where anything could happen.”
The Young Reds will compete in their first National Youth League Final since the 2008/09 Season meaning a win tomorrow will give Adelaide United their first ever NYL Championship.
Adelaide United Youth Team will face Sydney FC Youth Team in the Foxtel National Youth League 2015/16 Grand Final on Saturday, 23 January at Central Coast Stadium. Kick-off is at 3.30pm ACDT and can be watched on Fox Sports Channel 505.
