Coach Steve Corica has no doubt about what has been the key to Sydney FC cruising to the Foxtel National Youth League title this season.
Coach Steve Corica has no doubt about what has been the key to Sydney FC cruising to the Foxtel National Youth League title this season.
It was highlighted by the former Socceroo during pre-season and has helped the Sky Blues build an unassailable 10-point lead at the top with three games remaining.
That rare characteristic for a youth-level side is consistency.
“We spoke about it at the start of the year and that was something I was looking for,” Corica told Omnisport.
“Normally at a young age that they are, you normally don’t get that kind of consistency. I’ve been very proud of what they’ve done because they have been challenged and they’ve stuck with it.”
Urged on by a disappointing 2012/13 campaign which saw them finish second last, Sydney have been close to unstoppable this season.
Mitchell Mallia deserves plenty of praise for his 13 goals, yet it only tells part of the story.
Corica’s side have scored 47 goals – five more than any other team – and conceded just 18 – five fewer than anyone else.
They have won 13 of 15 games, losing just once, and are on a 10-match unbeaten run heading into their final three outings.
And there is plenty of potential for Sydney’s second youth title-winning squad to succeed at Hyundai A-League level.
“A few of them have tasted it, a few more might taste it this week. There’s potential,” Corica said.
“Once they’ve had the chance, it’s up to them if they go on or if they drop off.”
A step up to the A-League is a big one, according to Corica, with players needing to adapt to the pace and physicality of the game.
Hagi Gligor, Chris Naumoff, Dylan Caton, Alec Urosevski, Daniel Petkovski and Mallia are among those to have been given a chance by Frank Farina.
Naumoff and Gligor, both 18, look the closest to becoming first-team regulars.
Mallia, 21, remains the most interesting case, having shown off his blistering pace at the top level, including scoring the winner against Adelaide in February 2012.
“We’ve been playing him as an out-and-out striker,” Corica said.
“Mitchell’s got a lot of pace and obviously he can score goals. When he gets a chance he normally buries it. They’re his strengths.
“He hasn’t had a lot of time this year with first grade, he’s played a couple of times … he’s done a great job when he’s played with us but obviously he needs to try and get back in the first team.”
Corica, meanwhile, is happy coaching at youth level as speculation continues to surround the senior job at Sydney FC.
“I’m very happy doing the youth league … down the track, you never know,” he said.
