Sydney’s youth team sits atop the National Youth League, undefeated in seven matches. Having won every game so far this year, their success is beginning to turn heads. Former Socceroo, and coach of Adelaide’s youth, Joe Mullen, describes Sydney as the benchmark of the National Youth League.
“In the opening third of the season they (Sydney FC) have been the benchmark and they have set a really good standard.”
Whilst another former Socceroo and youth coach of the Central Coast Mariners, Alex Tobin, echoed a similar view after his side’s defeat to the sky blues a few weeks ago.
“Credit to Sydney FC, they’re a very strong side and showed today why they’ve been so successful in this competition.”
The final comments from the trio of former Socceroo’s comes from Sydney FC’s very own youth assistant coach Steve Corica.
“There are some good boys there,” Corica said. “I’m sure a few of them will get their chance in the first team soon.”
Indeed, club Chairman Andrew Kemeny believes that the team has genuine star quality and that many of these players will be playing in the A-league after just one season at youth level.
“Next year, we’ll probably have the youngest (A-league) team of any in the league,” Kemeny said.
“We have some tremendous young talent in our youth team, and in Steve O’Connor, we have the best youth coach in Australia, if not in the Southern Hemisphere. This is our strategy for going forward.”
The “best youth coach in the Southern Hemisphere” Steve O’Conner was more cautious with his praise, however, outlining that there is still a long way to go.
“The boys have been playing some good football, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement and we’ve got to make sure we stay focused if we’re going to stay ahead of the competition,” O’Connor said.
Kazama
Roar Guru
He's still on the Sydney FC books, but I'm not sure how long his contract is for. No word on a second series as far as I know. Hett's injury won't help its chances.
James Ward
Roar Rookie
Unlucky. Is he still on the Sydney FC books. Wonder if Sydney FC will help commission a second series of that show.
Kazama
Roar Guru
You mean Adam Hett? He did his knee ligaments in preseason and had to have a reconstruction.
James Ward
Roar Rookie
Whatever happened to that kid who won the reality show on Foxtel to join Sydney FC?
Liam Pender
Roar Rookie
The Sydney team is a mix of players of various ages, there are some really exciting youger players like Kofi Danning who at 17 in my oppinion is even quicker than Nikita Rukavytsya. The defender Golec has already played a few games in the first team aswell.
Koala Bear
Guest
I must admit being an expat Sydneysider, a SFC supporter, now living on the Gold Coast; I know very little about our SFC youth team .. Liam, it is gratifying that a SFC supporter has taken the time to write a piece about our SFC's youth team .. Our club can be proud and take solace in this fantastic young squad of players of undoubtedly exceptional talented .. Hopefully future Socceroos, they will progress to the first team in the very near future .. The future of the SFC is secured in this team of youngsters, coming through the system. As the future for the A-League is now taking shape with a production line of young talent being cultivated, and nurtured as full time professionals .. I never thought I would see the day, when finally in Australia, we now have a real Football culture taking shape to rival the other mainstream codes, with pathways to compete in th most elite tournaments, starting from the HAL title to ACL then the big one the FIFA World Club Championship ... I have been around for a long time and finally my dream, as it was of Johnny Warren's dream an Australian Football culture finally coming to frutiation .. I would just like to be around when the SFC wins the FIFA World Club Championship.. So I could I could repeat the words of Johnny "I told you so"... ;) ~~~~~~~~~ KB
Kazama
Roar Guru
Having seen the Sydney FC team play last week I'm inclined to agree with this article. I think they are the best team I've seen in the NYL so far. I think the Adelaide team is not that far from Sydney's standard however the Sydney boys looked sharper and more composed at both ends of the park. I haven't seen Queensland (currently 2nd) yet but the other sides IMO aren't in the same class as Sydney and Adelaide, and Sydney's team looks much further along in terms of development than Adelaide's. I wanted the NYL to be set up before expansion in order to see exactly how deep our talent pool is and if we would be able to support two (or more) new teams. Based on what I saw Saturday night alone I think at least half of those Sydney players could come in and compete in the A-League next season.
dasilva
Guest
I wonder what's the average age of Sydney FC youth team and how does it compare withe the average age of the rest of the competition. I have read that some clubs have chosen more of the 20-21 bracket and other clubs toward the 16-17 bracket this will obviously leads to an advantage.