The Adelaide United Youth Team will host Cumberland United in Round 4 of NPL State League at the Elite Systems Football Centre on Friday night.
Playing in a league with teams full of bodies far more mature than the Youth Team squad, Head Coach Michael Valkanis is happy with the way that the boys have gone so far, but insists that they stick to the Adelaide United Style and take their chances when they come.
“They’re doing well, I’m happy with them so far,” said Valkanis.
“I think they really need to concentrate in regards to playing our style and keep creating lots of chances and maximizing all those chances, but at the same time being ready to defend and being able to stop the more physical opponent in transition.
“(But) that’s going to take a bit of time to get use too as well and the physicality is a part of it. That’s going to help them develop their game and that’s what makes it so good in playing in this league.”
And after last week where the Young Reds conceded two early goals, it was made clear that the boys mustn’t enter their comfort zone ahead of tonight’s match against Cumberland.
“With the Cobras it was little bit to do with one; I think fatigue, because it wasn’t even 48 hours since our last game, and they just played a very tough game in AAMI Stadium against Melbourne Victory,” said Valkanis.
“And I think a little bit of comfort zone, thinking from the past two results that it’s just going to be an easy game and we’re going to get the result by just playing good football.
“But it shows you can’t just play good football and get a result, you have to compete physically in this league and we have to be switched on.”
So far State League top scorer and Young Reds striker Doni Pollock has noticed the difference in strength but insists they must just stick to playing their own style.
“Our main aim is to win the game but, hopefully we score a goal or two early that’s our aim, and just have complete control over the game,” said Pollock.
“It is a lot different because we are playing up against men but hopefully we can just step up and match that. If we keep just playing football and move it around just try to avoid the contact.
“We just want to dominate and (but) it’ll be a tough game because we know Cumberland will be a tough side.”
Adelaide United Squad: Niko Apostolopoulos, Jordan Elliott, Thomas Love, Alex Maiolo, Daniel Margush, Riley McGree, Yiannis Nestoras, Mark Ochieng, Adam Piscioneri, Doni Pollock, Jordan Pudler, Dylan Smith, Ruon Tongyik, Antoni Trimboli, Oliver Zafiridis, Alex Woodlands.
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Adelaide United will host Cumberland United tonight (Friday 6 March 2015) at the Elite Systems Football Centre in Round 4 of the NPL State League Season. Kick-off at 8:15pm.
And the Adelaide United reserves are also hosting Cumberland United tonight against (Friday 6 March 2015) at the Elite Systems Football Centre. Kick-off at 6:30pm.
