Balcatta Soccer Club requires junior coaches for the 2011 season

Balcatta Soccer Club have a professional and progressive Junior Development Program.

We are now seeking Expressions of Interest for our junior coaching department for the 2011 season.

If you are an experienced and qualified coach and want to move forward with your coaching expertise, then please contact me shortly for an interview day & time. You need to contact me before the beginning of October. This is for U11-U16 1st Team Coaches.

If you are a relatively new coach and want help on your coaching pathway then please also contact me. It is better to contact me before the Christmas break. This is for U11-U16 Development Teams or Rooball Coaches.

We here at Balcatta Soccer Club will pay for any coaching courses you may need, and also provide further assistance as required.

All coaches at Balcatta Soccer Club are supported by Paul Wozny (Technical Director of Coaching, and 2 Development Coaches who can help with your coaching sessions.

Take your first step in becoming part of the family here at Balcatta Soccer Club. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you are a part of the club, you are part of the family.

Contact:

Dennis Connors
Coach Coordinator
Balcatta Soccer Club

MOB: 0411 615 716
EMAIL: ucangetme@iinet.net.au

We need to stand together – McGarry

Perth Glory midfielder Steven McGarry said the players need to stand together to get the season back on track following three straight Hyundai A-League defeats.

Perth season began well following wins against Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix, and drawing with North Queensland Fury and Melbourne Heart over the first five weeks.

But things have quickly turned sour for the David Mitchell’s side, with losses to Gold Coast, Newcastle Jets and last week in Adelaide, but McGarry isn’t concerned and feels that the players realise they just need to work that little bit harder to get things going again, starting this Sunday when they entertain Brisbane Roar at the nib Stadium.

“Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think the lads have enjoyed the last few weeks especially after starting how we did. It’s not good enough and I think the players have to take responsibility in that, but I don’t think there’s anything to worry about,” McGarry said.

“We were slightly unlucky in the Adelaide game and there were a lot of positives to take out of that, and the guys are now looking forward to the Brisbane game. It’s a big game and we will go all-out attack to win it so hopefully we can do that.”

There was an improvement in the performance in Friday 2-0 loss against Adelaide, and McGarry believes there were some better signs from the team, after what was a lacklustre display the previous week at Newcastle.

“It’s hard to put your finger on it. After the start we had the boys were playing well and we were hard to beat, and now as players we just have to look at ourselves for what has happened,” he said.

“In the Newcastle game especially I think the players accepted that we were going to get beat and there wasn’t enough fighting spirit in the team, so as players we have to look at ourselves and make us a hard team to beat again first and foremost, and work hard.”

“Everyone knows now that it will be a long hard season if we continue to get beat like this. I enjoyed the first five games so hopefully we can get back on track again.”

The Scottish midfielder believes it’s up to him and the rest of the midfielders, to now help add some goals, as the Glory have not scored since beating the Phoenix 2-1 back on September 5.

“We set up well, tactically we were alright and the players were under a bit of pressure away from home which is always going to happen. They scored against when we had our best spell in the match and it was a pretty good goal so was hard to defend, and then the penalty kick sucker punched it as well. We played reasonably well and all we can do is take the positives out of it,” he said.

“We’ve got to start taking our chances again. Myself and the other midfielders have to try and help the strikers by getting on the score sheet ourselves. We are making chances still and that’s not a worrying aspect. We are getting enough possession and creating chances. We can’t rely on the strikers to score week in and week out. It’s a team game and we need to step up as well.”

Balcatta S.C U18 State League Trial Information

Thur 28 October

U18 State League Premier – 6.30pm – 7pm to 8.30pm

Please Note: Trials will continue weekly up to 5 weeks.

Trials to be held at:
Grindleford Reserve
Grindleford Drive
Balcatta

Contact:
Dennis Connors
Coach Coordinator
M: 0411 615 716
E: ucangetme@iinet.net.au

Perth Maul Lions to Reach Grand Final

Perth SC moved into next weekends “All Flag’s Top Five Grand Final after a 4-1 victory against Stirling Lion in the preliminary final at the BGC Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

First half goals from Antonio Naglieri and a David Onoforo penalty gave Perth a two goal lead at the break, and Andreas Oliviera and Ian McMurray added two more in the second half to send Perth into next week’s final against Western Knights, while the Lions consolation goal came from Ndumba Makeche.

Perth Coach Graham Normanton was delighted with the result. “After the disappointment of last week I thought we passed the ball around really well, and the performance of the side today was outstanding,” Normanton said.

“We gambled on the fitness of Robbie Puca and it paid off he was the best on the ground. He only trained last week after a hamstring problem but he’s the club captain and he led by example today.”

Perth made two changes to their starting line up from last week’s defeat at the Knights, with club captain Puca and striker McMurray returning, meaning Matt Beyer and Josh Pereira dropped to the bench. The Lions also made two changes to their line up with Scott Muirhead and Stef Frost coming into the side that beat Floreat Athena last week, with Phil Arnold and Matthew Stares dropping to the bench.

It was a lively opening to the game with the Lions going close on two minutes. Mario Marcinko’s shot flying over the top after a chest down from Frost.

Moments later the home crowd thought they had the lead. Hayden Doyle’s corner from the left was met by Craig Simpson, his header flashed past keeper James Turvill, but referee Steven Gregory had seen an infringement in the box and the goal was disallowed.

Perth continued to press and two minutes later Naglieri’s free kick was headed back across goal by Simpson, and McMurray’s flick was cleared off the line by the alert Jason Gavin.

The Lions, who beat Perth in the league at the same venue this season, went close to the lead on 12 minutes. Frost’s cross from the right picked out Muirhead in the box, his volley was saved low by Devon Spence.

Then on 21 minutes the home side hit the front. Ludovic Boi was adjudged to have handled the ball on the left of the penalty area, and Naglieri’s free kick was inch perfect and flew into the top corner of the net.

It was a bitter blow for Paul Lincoln’s side but they almost hit back on the half hour. Shane Robinson played a great ball out to Muirhead on the left, his low shot well saved by Spence at his near post.

But it was Perth who doubled their lead on 37 minutes. Doyle’s cross found Dom de Felice on the left, his ball into the box found McMurray who was bundled down by Gavin, and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Onoforo kept his nerve to score from the spot to send Perth into the break leading 2-0.

Perth opened the second half on fire and after only three minutes they almost added a third. Onoforo found Oliviera on the left of the penalty area, but the striker’s shot was superbly blocked by a last ditch Bobby Wilson tackle.

Their pressure paid off with a third goal on 51 minutes. A fierce long-range shot from Onoforo was superbly saved one-handed by Turvill, the rebound falling to Oliviera, who was again denied by Turvill, but at the third attempt Oliviera fired home from five-yards.

The Lions season was slipping away, but they had a lifeline on 63 minutes. Phil Arnold’s corner from the right fell to Gavin who pulled the ball back to second half substitute Makeche, who scored from close-range.

Their brief revival was cut short four minutes later when Perth added a fourth. De Felice was found down the right with a great through ball from Puca, his shot went under Turvill and McMurray was on hand to bundle the ball over the line from close-range.

To the credit of the Lions they continued to push forward and Arnold headed over a Muirhead cross on 77 minutes, and on 88 minutes Robinson sent Makeche clear down the left. He was one-on-one with Spence, but his shot was straight at the keeper, a better option would have been a cross to the unmarked Arnold in the box.

With the Lions pushing men forward Perth almost added a fifth in stoppage-time. Oliviera won the ball in the middle of the park and sent substitute Josh Pereira clear down the left, his shot beat Turvill but went inches past the post and into the side netting.

So it’s Perth who goes into next week’s Grand Final against the Knights, and the Lions bow out, and Lions coach Paul Lincoln was disappointed with his side’s performance on the day. “We had a number of players down in form today, maybe the extra time against Floreat game took a lot out of us, but to Perth’s credit they were the better team and deserved the victory,” Lincoln said.

All Flags Top Five Preliminary Final

Sunday 26th September 2010

Perth SC 4 (Naglieri 21’, Onoforo 36’ (pen), Oliveira 51’, McMurray 67’

Stirling Lions 1 (Makeche 63’

@BGC Stadium – Dorrien Gardens

Attendance – 400

Referee – Steven Gregory

Assistants – Michael Nugus and Stephen Knight

4th Official – Joe Fusari

PERTH SC: GK Devon SPENCE, 2 Trent KAY, 4 Craig SIMPSON, 5 Hayden DOYLE, 6 Shaun KILKELLY, 8 Robbie PUCA (13 Simon WILSON 75’), 9 David ONOFORO, 10 Andreas OLIVEIRA, 15 Antonio NAGLIERI, 16 Ian MCMURRAY (14 Josh PEREIRA 81’), 18 Dom DE FELICE

SUBS NOT USED: RGK Luke MARTINO, 7 Nathan RAWES, 12 Matt BEYER, ,

Yellow Cards – Robinson 49’

STIRLING LIONS: GK James TURVILL, 2 Michael PUGLIESE, 3 Scott MUIRHEAD, 4 Jason GAVIN, 6 Paul DICKSON (17 Ndumba MAKECHE 46’), 7 Tom INGRAM, 8 Bobby WILSON, 9 Mario MARCINKO, 10 Shane ROBINSON, 11 Stef FROST (14 Phil ARNOLD 39’), 12 Ludovic BOI SUBS NOT USED: RGK Anthony SALPIETRO, 16 Matthew STARES, 18 Roberto LUJAN

Yellow Cards – Nil

Junior Goalkeeper Coach Annoucement

Mandurah City FC, are pleased to announce that Richard Taylor will be the clubs  Junior Goal Keeper Coach for the 2011 season.
Richard in 2010 has worked with our Junior goalkeepers for the past year and has impressed the whole club, with his professionalism and coaching skills.
He also is the Peel High Performance Goal Keeper Coach, and works with the Football West and the Peel Regional Developing officer (Peter Bliss).
And our junior players have benefited greatly from this.
A program will be set for our junior goalkeepers, for the 2011 season and Richard is looking forward to again working with players and coaches.
We would like to first of thank Richard for all of his time last year.
And officially welcome him and his family to MCFC . and wish him all the best for the 2011 season.

Richard would like to invite all aspiring goal keepers in the region to come along to the 2011 trials which will be held in October.(dates to be annouced)

All inquiries contact Marc Manning 0413311175

Glory see Red in Adelaide

Perth hero Jamie Harnwell’s milestone match for the club has ended in disappointment as the Glory went down to Adelaide United 2-0 at a packed Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.

Adelaide’s best crowd of the season saw an entertaining and open affair that was ultimately decided by two goals in three minutes from striker Sergio van Dijk.

Perth had been defending valiantly on the road, but a brilliant 70th minute header from van Dijk gave goalkeeper Tando Velaphi no chance, while the Dutchman doubled the advantage with a 73rd-minute penalty.

The Glory were down to 10 men for the final 15 minutes after Jamie Coyne received a second caution.

But Perth still dominated the closing stages without drawing a goal back, as Harnwell, playing a club record 242nd game in purple, was left to rue what might have been.

“Things just don’t seem to be going in for us at the moment,” said the former skipper reflecting on two great shots by Robbie Fowler and Michael Baird early in the game that were both denied by some world class Eugene Galekovic saves.

“It’s disappointing. The lads worked hard and did all they could but just couldn’t do it in the front third.”

The result sees Adelaide extend their lead at the top of the table to six points over Central Coast while the Glory remain in third.

It may have been scoreless at the break but there was no shortage of thrills, though, in a fantastic first half.

A penetrating Lucas Pantelis run down the left in the sixth minute ended with an unfinished cross by the Reds’ stand-in skipper.

Perth immediately countered as a searing cross from Mile Sterjovski on the right found Fowler 20 metres from goal, the Liverpool legend attempting to loft the ball over Galekovic only for the Adelaide stopper to brilliantly palm it to safety.

Three minutes later Galekovic denied the Glory again, this time seeing off a powerful effort from Baird, in his first start for Perth.

The hardworking Steven McGarry caught Paul Reid in possession in the middle, the Scotsman driving the ball forward and cleverly releasing Baird one-on-one with Galekovic, only for the ‘keeper to produce another one-handed save to his right.

Stunned into action, Adelaide lifted their intensity and gained control of possession, forcing Perth back into their own half.

But for all Adelaide’s hard work, Perth’s sturdy defence kept the Reds to just two shots on goal that were well Tando Velaphi dealt with comfortably, the Glory goalkeeper showing no signs of a recent groin problem.

Perth started the second half with greater intensity, pushing forward hard and defending in numbers across the midfield as coach Dave Mitchell brought his central players and back four closer together, reducing the space for the influential Marcos Flores and Matthew Leckie to work in.

Leckie managed to get away in the 62nd minute, the 19-year-old using his explosive pace to sprint down the right, although his cross was brilliantly intercepted by Harnwell, who denied Flores an almost certain goal.

But Perth’s defence was finally pierced with 20 minutes remaining from what initially appeared an innocuous throw-in from the left.

Taking possession, former Melbourne Victory man Joe Keenan swung in a brilliant ball that van Dijk perfectly sent into the back of the net with an angled header that gave Velaphi no chance.

Three minutes later the Reds doubled the advantage from the spot after Velaphi fouled Pantelis on the edge of the area.

Matters took a further turn for the worse for Perth when Coyne received his second yellow card but the Glory refused to capitulate.

In the 82nd minute Sterjovski’s header across the penalty area was nodded over the bar by substitute striker Anthony Skorich, on for Robbie Fowler.

And, in the second minute of added time the Glory were unfortunate not to receive a penalty of their own from referee Matthew Breeze after McGarry was impeded in the six-yard box attempting to nod home a cross.

Match Details

Adelaide United FC: 2 (van Dijk 70’/73’ (pen))

Perth Glory: 0

Referee: Matthew Breeze

Crowd: 13,310 @ Hindmarsh Stadium

Adelaide United line-up: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 4.Iain FYFE, 7.Lucas PANTELIS (c) (17.Iain RAMSAY 87’), 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK (16.Inseob SHIN 90+1’), 10.Marcos FLORES, 12.Paul REID, 19.Mathew LECKIE, 24.Cameron WATSON, 26.Joe KEENAN (29.Bradley NORTON 86’)

Substitutes not used: 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk)

Yellow Cards: Cornthwaite 44’, Reid 65’

Red Cards: Nil

Perth Glory line-up: 1.Tando VELAPHI, 3.Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 9.Robbie FOWLER (22.Anthony SKORICH 78’), 10.Michael BAIRD, 14.Steven McGARRY, 17.Todd HOWARTH (2.Josh MITCHELL 78’), 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21.Mile STERJOVSKI

Substitutes not used: 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk)

Yellow Cards: Coyne 38’/75’, Velaphi 73’

Red Cards: Coyne 75’

Perth SC v Stirling Lions – Preliminary Final Preview

It’s do or die on Sunday when Perth SC entertain Stirling Lions in the All Flag’s finals series Preliminary Final at BGC Stadium – Dorrien Gardens (3pm)

Western Knights are waiting in the wings for Sunday’s winner, while for the loser their season will be over. The Lions edged out Floreat Athena on penalties in the minor semi-final, while Perth was beaten 2-0 in a hard fought Major Semi-Final at Nash Field.

The Macedonia Park club head in to the game full of confidence and assistant coach Ian Cowan believes last week’s victory was important, but they need to take their chances. “We showed a lot of character against Floreat, as we do most weeks, but alas the problem we have and have had most of the season is missed chances. When you create as many chances as we have each week and keep missing, more often than not, you get punished,” Cowen explained.

“We have a quality bunch of lads at Stirling and with the likes of Jason Gavin, Bobby Wilson, Michael Pugliese, Paul Dickson and Scott Muirhead all quality defenders we can normally withstand any amount of pressure and with young James Turvill in between the posts, he has improved in leaps and bounds to become a quality keeper. It then comes down to the rest of the midfield led by skipper Shane Robinson and the strikers to do their business, but alas that doesn’t always happen.”

In team news Scott Muirhead returns after missing the Floreat game and with a full squad to choose from Cowen is confident they can get a result. “I’m always confident that we can beat any opposition, we just have to do the right things on the day, to defend well, work hard in the midfield and finish the chances we create,” Cowen said.

“Yes Perth is a quality side also, and if we don’t do these things we can be punished as we were two weeks ago. After a great start we allowed them to get back into the game, became a bit sloppy and conceded two goals and then a penalty. So this week we have to set up with the correct formation to combat what happened then and make sure we finish the chances we create, and hopefully get to the final.”

Perth will look to bounce back from last week’s defeat against the Knights and assistant coach John Coyne is looking forward to another crack at them, but they must see off the Lions on Sunday. “We were all disappointed to lose too the Knights in a hard fought game. The pitch at Nash Field was not conducive to good football, but it was the same for both sides, and as always there was a bit of rivalry thrown in with the last goal,” Coyne said.

“To be honest Monty (Stuart Montgomery), as the video showed was clearly offside in the build-up, but that’s football and by then the Knights were already 1-0 up, and deserve to be in the final. They are a good team we would like another crack at them.”

A 3-2 win at Macedonia Park two weeks ago, after being 2-0 down, gives Perth a psychological edge going into Sunday’s game and Coyne believes they have the team to beat the Lions. “To be playing against Stirling again this week shows how the top 5 works, and I’m sure both teams will be looking forward to it.  We are what we are, and I believe we can win the big one. To do that all the players have to stand up this week to give us that opportunity, and I believe we can do it,” Coyne said.

“I know whoever we put out on Sunday will give a good account of themselves. We have a good squad of players, and although we have lost players throughout the year, I know they will be there supporting us on Sunday, and we will have one more go at it.”

Adelaide United v Perth Glory – Preview

Perth Glory head to the City of Churches on Friday to take on league leaders Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium in round eight of the Hyundai A-League (6pm WA time)

It’s been a fortnight to forget for David Mitchell’s side losing at home 1-0 to the Gold Coast and 2-0 at Newcastle last week, and they will need to turn that form around to keep in touch of the top sides.

There has been injury clouds hanging over keeper Tando Velaphi, Robbie Fowler and skipper Jacob Burns, but Mitchell said all are ready for the big clash, but Scott Neville is again missing, on international duty with the Olyroos.

It’s a special occasions for Glory defender Jamie Harnwell, who overtakes Bobby Despotovski with the most appearances for the club, and he hopes his milestone game can end the losing streak of the club. “Jamie’s comments”

“There’s going to come a time when I have to pull the pin, whether it’s forced on me or I make that decision myself,” he said. “For the time being I can’t see myself doing anything else.

“I love playing, I love training and while I’m still able to do some kind of job on the park then I’ll stay around. It’s a pretty special feeling, to go past Bobby, who is a very good friend of mine, and an absolute legend of the club.

“He’s a former player of the year. He’s played for the Socceroos. He’s a premiership captain. So, it’s a huge honour.”

Harnwell made his Glory debut away to Brisbane Strikers in October 1998 and still has vivid memories of the experience. “I still remember sitting with Paul Strudwick after my first game and cracking open a XXXX in the change rooms,” he said.

“Things have changed a lot since then. The people have changed, the place has changed and I think it needed to and I’m glad it has, but you lose a bit of the romance of what it was like.”

Glory coach Dave Mitchell paid tribute to Harnwell and was delighted he was still playing consistently good football.

“He’s shown he’s been a true leader as well, and a great person to have around the team and the club so it’s great he can actually break the record,” Mitchell said.

“If he wasn’t playing well he wouldn’t be playing, he’s reached that milestone through his own hard work but it’s great for him and great for the club to have someone like that around.”

Despite Perth’s recent results, Adelaide United Coach Rini Coolen knows they confront arguably their biggest home test of the season so far, former England and Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler joining the likes of former Qantas Socceroos pair Mile Sterjovski and Jacob Burns at the Glory.

“Of course it’s important to know how they’re going to play, you have to be careful and respect the way your opponent is going to play, but we have to play our own game at home, it doesn’t matter against whom or against what,” Coolen said.

“They want to win points…but we also need that and we prefer to keep them here, and hopefully we win the game and for the people here tomorrow, they’re going to see a really good game, and as I said last week, let the best team win.”

Last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar saw the Reds equal their longest undefeated streak in the Hyundai A-League (nine games), and Coolen does not see any reason why this run cannot continue with another win tomorrow night.

In team news Adelaide received some good news with Matthew Leckie being allowed to leave the young Socceroos camp to play on Friday, but Cassio is out suspended and Daniel Mullen is on international duty.

Hyundai A-League 2010/11 Season – Week 8
Adelaide United FC v Perth Glory
Friday 24 September 2010, Hindmarsh Stadium
Kick-Off: 7.30pm ACST (8.00pm AEST)
Referee: Matthew Breeze

Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 4.Iain FYFE, 7.Lucas PANTELIS (c), 8.Adam HUGHES, 9.Sergio VAN DIJK, 10.Marcos FLORES, 12.Paul REID, 15.Francesco MONTEROSSO, 16.Inseob SHIN, 17.Iain RAMSAY, 19.Mathew LECKIE, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 24.Cameron WATSON, 26.Joe KEENAN

In: Francesco MONTEROSSO (promoted), Fabian BARBIERO (returns from injury)
Out: CASSIO (suspended – 1 match)
Unavailable: Daniel MULLEN (international duty – 1 week), Nigel BOOGAARD (ankle – 7 weeks), Lloyd OWUSU (knee – indefinite)

Perth Glory squad: 1.Tando VELAPHI, 2.Josh MITCHELL, 3.Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 5.Jamie HARNWELL, 7.Jacob BURNS (c), 9.Robbie FOWLER, 10.Michael BAIRD, 11.Branko JELIC, 14.Steven McGARRY, 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO, 17.Todd HOWARTH, 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 20.Aleks VRTESKI, 21.Mile STERJOVSKI, 22.Anthony SKORICH
*one to be omitted*

In: Anthony SKORICH (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Victor SIKORA (hip – 2 weeks), Chris COYNE (on loan – 8 weeks), Scott NEVILLE (international duty – 1 week)

Young Socceroos call up for Pearson and Edwards

Perth Glory Youth keeper Alex Pearson, and former Glory Youth midfielder Ryan Edwards, have been rewarded for a stellar 2009-10 seasons with a call up to the Qantas Young Socceroos Squad for the AFC U-19 Championship 2010 Finals next month.

The 18-year-old shot stopper is looking forward to the challenge in China. “I’m always honoured whenever I get called up to represent my country, it’s such an amazing feeling knowing that you get to represent your family, friends and everyone back home on the world stage,” Pearson said.

“I never take a national team call up for granted, either it be a three day camp or the world cup, it’s always important that I’m at the best of my game to best do my country proud.”

For Edwards, it’s a great thrill to follow in the footsteps of his farther Alistair and brother Cameron, in representing Australia. “It is an amazing honour and privilege to be selected to represent your country and I am so thrilled to have this opportunity so early in my career,” Edwards said.

“I’m two, almost three years younger than most in this squad so I’m surprised and excited for what’s to come. To follow in my brother and Dads footsteps is great. Knowing my dad has been through this process and has achieved what we are trying to do is a drive for me to succeed and go further. One day I hope I can line up next to my brother in the Socceroos that would be fantastic.”

The keeper starred in the club’s 2-1 grand final defeat against the Gold Coast United last season and all his hard work in the pre-season has been rewarded with the call up. “Last year was a great year for me personally, and from a team point of view. It’s always nice to have a successful season; it makes the job you have to do so much more enjoyable and last season was very enjoyable. It was a great experience to get to play in the final series and grand final even though we couldn’t manage to hold of Gold Coast it was still a priceless experience to have,” Pearson explained.

Unfortunately Edwards missed the Grand Final after accepting a place at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, but he enjoyed his time at the Glory Youth. “Last season with Glory was a great season. We finished runners up in the league and the final, which we were unlucky in both. I missed out on the final because I accepted a scholarship to the AIS,” Edwards said.

“But the season overall was a great experience, the competition was of great quality, and I enjoyed playing with some great players and playing under Gareth Naven, our coach. I was happy with the game time I got also as I’m still young and I feel the team and myself performed well and consistently throughout the whole season.”

In his two years at Perth Glory, Pearson has worked with Willie McNally and former Manchester United academy goal keeping Coach Lee Bamber, and he believes he has been a huge influence in his improvement as a keeper. “It has been great working with Lee. I feel my game has progressed dramatically in the last two or so years and Lee, and Willie have been one of the reasons for that. There is always a good environment at training and it’s always enjoyable around Lee, which is an added bonus,” Pearson said.

Bamber believes the youngster has improved his game and needs to take the next step. “Obviously representing your Country at any level is fantastic and I’m sure he’ll enjoy the experience. Last season was another development season with some indifferent performances along with some solid ones. His performance in the final was fantastic and has undoubtedly helped lift his profile, but the challenge for Alex this season is to be more consistent with his all-round performance,” Bamber said.

“Alex is just like most of the keepers I work with, loves the hard work and is always keen to improve. After every game we’ll discuss things he’s done well and things he can do better, back on the training ground he’ll want to go through the scenarios, so he’ll be better prepared for the next time. With his enthusiasm to learn makes it very easy for the coach.”

Pearson was the custodian at Armadale in the 2009 Football West Premier League season and it was a great learning experience for the keeper. “Unfortunately this year due to Glory commitments, most of the boys were unable to play state league. But if I ever get the opportunity I would enjoy playing for Armadale again,” Pearson explained.

“The vibe I got from the club when I was there last was so welcoming and the atmosphere that we got at the games on Saturdays was quality. It is a well-run club and I wish the most success possible to everyone at the club because they truly deserve it and are a great group of individuals.”

Edwards is enjoying life at the AIS and believes it’s improving his game. “I’m really enjoying my time at the AIS, it’s a great opportunity. I feel myself getting better every day, both as a person and footballer. I’m playing with and against the best young footballers in Australia, and receiving quality training with the coaching staff. The facilities here are quality, and we are training every day and have access to massage, Physio, recovery etc. Everything is here for you at the AIS and the opportunity is there for the taking, and I’m doing that,” Edwards explained.

With the top four teams from the AFC U-19 Championship qualifying for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be held in Colombia next year, Coach Jan Versleijen is confident that the group of players that he has selected will be able to achieve their goals.

“It is always an honour and a privilege to be selected in the national team for tournaments such as this one and the players and I are very excited about this upcoming period of their careers,” Versleijen said.

“Playing in tournament football gives our players much needed international experience against high quality opposition and should we achieve our goal of qualifying for the U-20 World Cup we will face even stronger opponents in Colombia.

“Our preparations have been very good for this tournament with more players in the starting line-ups for their clubs which is very good for the National team and football in Australia.

“We have great competition for final selection in each position on the field and I am confident that with the players we have we will do well in China.”

The AFC U-19 Championship 2010 Finals will be held in the host city of Zibo, China, from 3-17 October, 2010, at the Zibo Sports Complex Stadium and Linzi Stadium.

The Qantas Young Socceroos have been drawn in Group D of the competition along with Yemen, Korea Republic and IR Iran.

The Qantas Young Socceroos will play their opening match of the tournament against Yemen on Monday 4 October, followed by IR Iran on Wednesday 6 October with their final group match against the Korea Republic on Friday 8 October.  The quarter finals will be played on Monday 11 October, semi-finals on Thursday 14 October, with the Final to be played on Sunday 17 October.

The squad will assemble in Sydney this week for a four-day training camp, which will include a training match against the Central Coast Mariners, before heading to Hong Kong on Friday to complete their pre-tournament preparations and will arrive in Zibo on Friday 1 October.

Qantas Young Socceroos Squad – GK Matthew Acton – Brisbane Roar, GK Mark Birighitti – Adelaide United – GK Alex Pearson – Perth Glory,  Mustafa Amini – Central Coast Mariners, Terry Antonis – Sydney FC, Eli Babalj – Melbourne Heart, Daniel Bowles – Brisbane Roar,  Kerem Bulut – FK Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic, Kofi Danning – Sydney FC, Jason Davidson – Pacos de Ferreira, Portugal, Ryan Edwards – Australian Institute of Sport, Matthew Fletcher – Sunderland, England, Sam Gallagher – Central Coast Mariners, Rhyan Grant – Sydney FC, Brendan Hamill – Melbourne Heart, Ben Kantarovski – Newcastle Jets, Mathew Leckie – Adelaide United, Steven Lustica – Gold Coast United, Dylan McGowan – Hearts FC, Scotland, Tommy Oar – FC Utrecht, Netherlands, Dimitrios Petratos – Sydney FC, Nikola Stanojevic – Central Coast Mariners, Marc Warren – Central Coast Mariners

Goodman left gutted by Swan’s departure

Swan United this week parted company with senior Coach Jamie Goodman, and this has left a bitter taste in his mouth. Goodman joined the club as assistant to Paul Lincoln at the start of the season, but when Lincoln moved to Stirling Lions he was offered the senior job. But after the clubs relegation from the Premier League they have reacted quickly by pushing aside the likeable coach. “I had a meeting with the club with about eight games to go, and they asked what my intentions where for next season. I advised them I was interested in remaining as coach what ever happened,” Goodman said.

“Obviously when a club gets relegated the club have to look at a few things which I understand. As a coach you are judged on your results if we had won on the last day things may have been different,” a disappointed Goodman said.

After the season had finished Goodman was called to meeting, when he was advised of the clubs decision. “I went to the meeting at the club last week, and I was expecting either to be in or out. They advised me I was to be relived of my duties as head coach, and asked me to stay on as assistant,” Goodman said.

“The reasons sighted were that I played too defensive for too long during the middle part of the season, and that I had played certain players out of position. To be honest I’m still getting my head around it, this was not a scenario that I had thought would be raised. I couldn’t have done that bad a job if they want to retain me in some capacity at the club next season.”

The club may have done a back flip with Goodman, but one thing he did have was the support of his players and it is one thing Goodman will remember with fondness. “I believe I have had nothing but the full support of the players. They are a good bunch and that is what makes it more enjoyable. As a coach all you can ask is that the players go out and give 100% for you and each other and I believe they did that. They knew where I was coming from and how I wanted to play. They trained hard and played some good football and they fought right to the end,” Goodman explained.

“The last third of the season was cup final after cup final, and we got ourselves to the last day with a chance and that is a credit to the players. To have conceded as few goals as we had done after being on the end of a few preseason hidings, losing one less game than Perth and accumulating the highest ever number of points relegation 23 points shows we were very competitive. We got to a cup semi-final and won the spring in the valley cup. There are a few standout moments during games that have happened during the year, which would have given us the extra points we needed, but I am sure most teams have had those.”

Goodman advised the club this week he will be moving on and will be looking to get back into the game as soon as possible. “I need a few weeks to consider what lies ahead for me. Ultimately I am ambitious and want to be a senior coach and coach at the highest level I can,” Goodman said.

The new Coach at Francis Street is John O’Reilly, who led the clubs under 23’s to runners-up spot in the league. Goodman wishes him all the best in his new role. “John has had a good season with the under-23 side, and he is very passionate about the game and has a good core of players. He has also assisted the club by creating a blueprint for improving the junior set up. I wish him all the best for the season ahead,” Goodman said.

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