Under-20 Suns to face tough initiation

Damen Francis

March 15 2014

Shepparton News

Goulburn Valley Suns under-20 coach Serkan Aktas is under no illusion his side is facing a tough initiation when it opens its National Premier Leagues campaign against Oakleigh Cannons today.

With much of the fledgling club’s focus on getting a competitive senior team together in time for round one, Aktas admitted expectations for the U20 team would need to be tempered.

‘‘We’re going to struggle at the start a little bit,’’ Aktas said.

‘‘With the late start and the sudden decision (to put the Suns in the NPLV) some clubs have been reluctant to send their best players down, but we’re working on that.

‘‘We are behind the eight ball in preparation and in numbers, but hopefully we have a good showing on the weekend with the seniors and reserves and we can start convincing players to come along.’’

The Suns squad does boast plenty of raw talent, despite it youth.

Tatura’s Joe Hogarty represented the Goulburn North East Football Association All-Stars team last year, while Justin Cirillo, Ramah Taya and Matt Gleeson experienced their share of Regional Premier League opportunities.

Yassir Alghazaly and Emre Celik have shown exciting potential at training and prodigious Shepparton South defender Riley Hamilton, 16, is likely to be a key player, but will start the season in the seniors.

Teams are permitted four overage players, but as of yesterday the Suns were yet to sign any.

‘‘We want to be careful who we sign overage because we’ll get some players down from seniors once they fill up their roster,’’ Aktas said.

‘‘It’s going to be a big shock to some of these boys when they come against some of these kids.

‘‘Most of these clubs are established clubs and generally most of their kids are going to be under-20 on the dot, so we’ll need a full roster of four overage players I would say.’’

Goalkeeper Monty Alghazaly and overage defender Anthony Calandro are serving suspensions dating back to last season.

Former Shepparton United and Shepparton South keeper Jake Keating will start in goals.

Aktas stressed the Suns were working to a two-to-three-year plan and it would take time to develop a professional culture.

‘‘The message (today) is to take the step up and be prepared for something they haven’t been used to,’’ he said.

‘‘Their confidence might take a bit of a knock early, but we’ve structured a system which is going to be defensive at the start. There are plans to use a little bit more attacking skill later on, but mainly let’s just keep it tight in front of our home crowd.

‘‘Don’t be overawed and by all means gives it your best shot.’’

The match kicks off at 5.30 pm.