Adelaide United Youth Team Captain, Adam Piscioneri, has said the Young Reds are as ready as possible to battle it out against Sydney FC in the Foxtel National Youth League Grand Final tomorrow afternoon.
In what will be the Young Reds’ first NYL Final since the 2008/09 season, Piscioneri and his teammates are ready to claim some deserving silverware on the back of their successful promotion from the National Premier League Stat League.
“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs this season,” said Piscioneri. “I think coming out after the Brisbane game (where we were battered 10-0) and then going on to beat Melbourne Victory, it was a really big turnaround for us.
“Mentally, I am definitely ready and so are all the other boys. We are going to Gosford with every intention of coming away as Champions and that’s all we have in our minds.”
Piscioneri, a Youth Team product who has served the Club for three years now, has been an integral member of Michael Valkanis’ side, Captaining the squad to a maiden NPL State League title and now a National Youth League Grand Final berth.
And his decision to stay at the club has paid dividends, Piscioneri saying it will mean everything to him to be leading his teammates out tomorrow as their Captain.
“It means a lot for me to lead out this amazing group of young footballers this Saturday in the Final,” he said.
“I was injured throughout 2013, but have been here for almost three years, with this being my second Youth League season.
“But to come this far, it has been an emotional journey. Now we’re all ready to win some silverware for this amazing club.”
Piscioneri’s and the Young Reds’ opponents, Sydney FC cemented their place in the Grand Final with a last-round victory over the FFA Centre of Excellence in Conference B.
And despite the two sides yet to face throughout their respected NYL seasons, Piscioneri has come up against the Sky Blues in the past and is completely aware of the quality they possess.
“We are expecting a physical battle,” said Piscioneri. “Micky (Valkanis) has spoken about them and he said they are really physical and they press incredibly fast and really high.
“But we plan to play our game, play our football. We’ll worry about us first and foremost, then we will deal with Sydney and what they have to offer.
“Overall, I know what that winning feeling is like as I experienced it with my local league club and it’s amazing, so we are hoping to get the win and most of all do us and the city of Adelaide proud.”
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.
