Round 19 of the Hyundai A-League gave spectators a taste of the future, with several clubs giving youngsters a go.
Melbourne Victory gave Jimmy Jeggo his first A-League start, as did Sydney with Joel Chianese. Central Coast’s Trent Sainsbury was given another opportunity, while Gold Coast United’s Daniel Bowels put in a man-of-the-match performance.
It looks like Melbourne Victory have finally listened to their fans, with Jimmy Jeggo rewarding selectors with a good game.
In front of 14,000 people at AAMI Park Jeggo showed off his great passing game and ability to run for 90 minutes. With Victory winning for the first time under Jim Magilton and with Brisbane Roar up next, one assumes that Jeggo will be kept in the starting eleven.
Joel Chianese (pronounced Cianese) also made his A-League debut and was unfortunate not to score after creating a few chances. As with Victory, the introduction of a fresh face helped Sydney break their losing streak.
The 21-year-old Chianese should keep his spot next week, even though captain Terry McFlynn will be back from suspension.
In the absence of the in-form Pedj Bojic, Central Coast Mariners brought back Trent Sainsbury for his ninth A-League appearance and his second for the season . Yet the 20-year-old didn’t have nearly as much luck as the other two youngsters. He was controversially given a straight red card for a challenge on Victory defender Fabio.
Sainsbury’s early exit, however, gave Mariners youngster Sam Gallagher the opportunity to make his A-League debut. Unfortunately he too was sent off in the nil-all draw with Victory on Sunday at Kingston Heath.
Daniel Bowles and Daniel Bragg made their first starts for Gold Coast United, which are down to their youngsters and skin and bone with their senior squad.
Bowles put in a starring performance and will most likely be called upon again this weekend for the contest with Melbourne Heart, particularly with skipper Michael Thwaite out suspended.
Bragg, who was diagnosed with acute renal failure in 2008 and subsequently had to have a kidney replacement, took another significant step in his fairytale comeback. Bragg’s father Matthew donated his kidney to his son, essentially saving the then 15-year-old’s life.
On Friday night, Mitch Cooper will make his A-League debut for Gold Coast United with Victorian Jake Barker-Daish. Cooper, 17, has also been named captain for his A-League debut.
Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer is the brainchild behind Cooper’s unlikely promotion to captaincy, believing it to be a “symbolic gesture”. The Coasters are likely to field only two players over the age of 23 – Kristian Rees and Maceo Rigters.
“He said if we are playing with such a young team this weekend – and that’s what Gold Coast United is all about, to give career paths to young players – we might as well let one of them be captain for the weekend,” coach Miron Bleiberg said of Palmer’s idea.
There was also great news for Perth Glory and Josh Risdon, who signed a new deal to the end of the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season. Risdon, who has cemented his spot in the right back position with Scott Neville injured, is obviously delighted.
“I’m really happy to be where I’m at and I’m really enjoying my football … obviously it’s great to sign with the club for another two years,” Risdon told the media after inking a new deal.
So let’s just hope in this next round clubs continue to give the youngsters a go.
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