National Youth League Fixtures and Mariners youth team discussion

[marinermick]

If we were able to "grow" 2 players a year for the senior squad, that would be an amazing achievement.

this

youth team should be a pseudo reserves team so that senior players are ready at a beckon's call

you also cherry pick the best youth players for the youth starting team as realistically they are the ones that are selected in the squad first at the beginning of the season and the only ones likely to step up

massive, massive step from youth to first team football

 

[FFC Mariner]

2 players plus Bernie of course

 

[GT]

youth team should be a pseudo reserves team so that senior players are ready at a beckon's call

you also cherry pick the best youth players for the youth starting team as realistically they are the ones that are selected in the squad first at the beginning of the season and the only ones likely to step up

massive, massive step from youth to first team football 

I agree Mariner Mick, note, there are players that are selected week in week out in the Youth team that have 1st grade NSW Premier league experience and that is vital for the step up to A League 1st grade. These are the players that we should be grooming for the future of CCM and not other teams.

 

[marinermick]

I agree Mariner Mick, note, there are players that are selected week in week out in the Youth team that have 1st grade NSW Premier league experience and that is vital for the step up to A League 1st grade. These are the players that we should be grooming for the future of CCM and not other teams.

without a doubt

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Very exciting signing. Especially as I think we have the wrong end of the stick here...  this is not a youth team signing, we have signed this kid to the senior squad.

Amazing that I just got excited about pre season already ;D




AUSTRALIA NEWS
Mariners Snap Up 16 Year Old
20 Comments    Email    Print 

Copyright Getty Images
RELATED COVERAGE
Branko Targets Another Win
Bleiberg Aims To Halt Jets Charge
Okon Predicts A Cracker
Drogba's Ivory Coast Held By Burkina Faso
Drogba: Attack Has Left Us Shattered

Jan 12 2010 16:18
Get more on: mustafa | amini | central | coast | mariners | ais | aleagie
CENTRAL Coast Mariners have signed 16 year old Australian Institute of Sport's Mustafa Amini on a senior contract tying him to Bluetongue Stadium for two seasons.

The teenager has impressed enough during this season's National Youth League campaign with the Canberra based side to become the youngest player ever to earn a senior A-League contract with the yellow and navy.

"Mustafa is such an exciting youngster who has been very impressive for the AIS this season, and we are delighted to have secured his services for the next two seasons, as we look to continue to mould our squad with the right mix of youth and experience," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.

Amini, a creative central midfielder at home virtually anywhere on the park, will turn 17 in April, and has been earmarked by AIS and Qantas Young Socceroos head coach Jan Versleijen as one of the local game's brighter prospects. He will complete the season with the AIS before linking up with his new teammates in the off-season.

"We saw him when he played against our boys at Seymour Shaw, it was a draw and we had a very strong team out that day but he was outstanding. He dictated play and made things happen," said Mariners manager Lawrie McKinna.

"Since then we've watched him in a few games, and Jan, Gary Van Egmond and Han Berger, everybody in the national coaching panel highly recommend this boy and think he's something special.

"He's only 16 but he's an outstanding talent and has a huge future. It's these special ones we need to try to get at an early age.

"He's in a full time environment at the Institute, but he's a Sydney boy and his mum and dad were very keen to get him up here, it's a very tight knit family.

"For him to be on the Coast for the next two years at least is great for him and it shows, it doesn't matter how old you are, if you're good enough, you're old enough."

Amini joins the ever-growing list of Blacktown City products to link up with the yellow and navy, having risen through the Demons' junior ranks before winning a scholarship at the Institute.

"It's a great accomplishment and I'm very happy. It's the biggest highlight of my career so far, and to be noticed at the AIS, especially as one of the younger players is fantastic," said Amini.

"I just want to do well in pre-season, hopefully work toward a spot on the bench, and then play A-League for the Mariners before the end of the season. I just hope I can repay the faith Lawrie has shown in me by signing an A-League deal at 16.

"(Jan Versleijen and Gary Van Egmond) have helped me a lot in the year I've been here, so I have to thank them as well."

 

[Forum Phoenix]

BTW another who has caught my eye is the wide defender Kalouris.
[/quote]

Caught my eye too Kev.

 

[Roy Law]

The signing of Mustafa Amini is remarkable given roster and salary cap restrictions. If he turns out as good as Kantarovski who the Jets signed at a similiar age I will be more than happy. As for youth team players being upset, the simple fact is this the reality of professional football. Not many make it to the big time. But some of the comments about some of our youth players does give me a fair degree of optimism. Nothing beats cheering on your 'own' players.

 

[elevated position]

With the boys already in the seniors add sherlock (definate) and next year you will see fitzgerald ,dukic and kalouris develope into nice players along with the future you can add Mallia,
Griffin ahh bugger it sign the lot.
As regards to CCMs  use of OA players even though as Mick points out we are indebted to them for taking control in games, turn that around and you see the young guys dont get a formation going as they dont know until game day who will be playing. No cohesion sometimes because of this.
The Yoof and Perth are neck and neck at the top of the table and we have lost twice to them at Pluim. 1st game we were going ok until they introduced that new kid DADI (replacing Harnwell)and he peppered redders with short headders and finally got one we lost 0-1, second game the game was going to par until a simple mistake and the player that sterjovski holds out of the A league every week smashes an outstanding longrange goal we lose 0-1 so we are not the only ones who uses the NYL as  back up for the A league.

 

[John]

Our national youth team has great potential and some amazing players.
I particularly like the tall goalkeeper Nik, his great in the air, tall, solid, long reach and great skill.
he proved this and caught my eye at their very first match against Adelaide were he pulled some amazing saves in the time that was given to him but also in their last game against the AIS.
As for the midfld i think panny controls it well along side fitzgerald.

 

[GT]

John, I agree and to add the backs that have done the job, they have been Kalouris, Sherlock and Giannaros and the other keeper Ryan. All have played consistantly throughout the season.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

I thought our keeper struggled a few times last game?

 

[kevrenor]

Friday 15 January 2010
Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners

Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Local kick-off: 4:45pm (5:15pm AEDT)
Referee: Regis Queffelec

Adelaide United Youth squad: Joel ALLWRIGHT, Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), Michael DOYLE, Kingsley FRANCIS, Evan KOSTOPOULOS, Codey LARKIN (rgk), Dane MILOVANOVIC, Perry MITRIS, Francesco MONTEROSSO, Matthew MULLEN (c), Brett RAYNER, Alex SUNASKY, Liam WOODING, Joe WRIGHT

Unavailable: Andrew CIARLA (ankle - 1 week), Nathan FARRELL (ankle - season)

Central Coast Mariners squad: Matthew RYAN (GK), Nik MATIC (GK), Shane HUKE (OA), Ahmad ELRICH (OA), Jonathan BROWN (OA), Panny NIKAS (C), Matthew LEWIS, Brady SMITH, Nathan SHERLOCK, Manny GIANNAROS, Jerry KALOURIS, Adam ORMSBY, Bernie IBINI-ISEI, Nick FITZGERALD.
*one to be added

Unavailable: Nil

 

[FFC Mariner]

More Bernie, thats what this lot need.

 

[MagpieMariner]

Why is Jonathan Brown OA? I thought he's only 19.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Senior contract perhaps?

 

[MagpieMariner]

But Panni & Lewis have those. Maybe it's a misprint?

 

[Jaza_SFC]

I think it's because he's foreign? NYL players have to be Australian.

 

[bulldogmariner]

Correct Jaza.

 

[bikinigirl]

More Bernie, thats what this lot need.

. cult hero in the making you thinks?

. i thought he was good last week. on first sight i thought he might break in a stiff breeze, but he proved much stronger than that

 

[Roy Law]

So wil Brady Smith make it, this is his second year?