Read the recap from our Wanderers Academy youth team performances over the weekend against Mt Druitt Town Rangers and Sydney United.
U13s coached by Peter Kofinas
2-2 draw
The match was scrappy at best and with only one team out to play, it provided the Wanderers with many problems to solve. Unfortunately the U13s did not take their chances in the first half to go up by two or three and this eventually came back to haunt them. The second half was more of the same as the opposition scored with their only shot on goal in the second half and with the Wanderers equalised late into the game with a lovely strike.
U14s coached by Rob Bradshaw
1-2 loss
The game started with a good intensity and it was the Red & Black who created the first opportunity only to push the shot wide. The opposition managed to open the scoring through some poor positioning that led to a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. The strike was well taken to beat Adrian Rizzuto in the bottom corner. From here, the Wanderers struggled to control the game and turned over the ball too frequently and not identifying spaces which we could take advantage. The score increased with an effort from distance, well placed and difficult for Rizzuto to get a hand to. After being 2-0 down at half time, a few tactical changes were made and there was an increased output of energy from each individual. The U14s created far more chances in the seccond half and finally pegged a goal back through Max Hately. From here there was belief and the Wanderers pushed on positively only to fall short on the final whistle after a last minute corner that found Khodar Abdulkarim in front of goal to head just wide of the post.
U15s coached by Geoff Abrahams
2-1 loss
The U15s suffered their first loss of the season against Mt Druitt but they can be very proud of the performance and the way they conducted themselves in defeat. Two fantastic goals by the opposition left the side 2-0 down but the Wanderers never gave up, and pegged a goal back through Miguel Dipizo. The Wanderers created some good chances throughout the game with some good goalkeeping and last-ditch defending stopping the side from finding the equaliser. In the end, the U15s didn’t take their chances which is something they must improve on, however the Wanderers mentality was there for all to see until the final whistle with the boys remaining composed and giving everything.
U16s coached by Shaf Sagol
2-2 draw
It was a game of two halves for the U16s. In the first half, the U16s commanded the game and scored two goals to lead 2-0 in the break comfortably. Unfortunately, just five minutes into the second half an incident between the Wanderers keeper and opposition player resulted in two of the Red & Black’s outfield players being sent off with a red card. To make matters worse, another outfield player was then sin binned bringing the Wanderers down to 8 men against the oppositions 10. This changed the dynamic of the match, resulting in a 2-2 finish.
U20s coached by Yianni Tsattalios
5-0 win
The U20s made it three wins in a row this week with a confident 5-0 win over Sydney United. The Red & Black played some great football and were clinical in front of the goal. Goals from Jacob Vasiliou, Conor Rose, Isaac Hovar and a double from George Antonis helped secure the victory.
