Canberra United will open their second Foxtel Youth League season on Saturday with a clash against the Central Coast Mariners at Deakin Stadium.
United got their maiden Youth League victory against the Mariners last season away from Canberra but were beaten at home by them as the Mariners broke away in the final few minutes.
The squad this year brings experience and knowledge of the league from last season, with a sprinkle of new talent including the selection of some players from the Wollongong Wolves.
On announcing the squad, Ugrinic expressed his satisfaction with the group and the season ahead.
“I think it’s a squad that is representative of not only Canberra but the surrounding region,” he said.
It’s got a balance of experience from last year and a couple of over-age players who I believe will add value to the squad.
“And also, some exciting young talent in Zac Barbatano and Nikola Jadric who I believe are rising stars.”
The Mariners announced their squad on Thursday, with former Canberra United W-League coach Ray Junna leading the team and two former United players in Nick Faust and Mikey Katsoulis amongst the squad.
Ahead of the clash, Ugrinic said he is expecting the Mariners to be a cohesive and well-structured outfit.
“They will be very well organised,” he said.
“They have already been a playing squad for quite a long time, so their cohesion will be a little better than ours I suspect.
“It will be a difficult task, but certainly not insurmountable.
“We’ve exposed our guys to Sydney FC and to Newcastle over the last 2-3 weeks so they understand the speed and the pace, so we know a little bit of what to expect from the Central Coast Mariners.”
Admission to Saturday’s match is free.
Canberra United Squad |
Finn Jurak (Belconnen United), Lucaus Mauragis (Belconnen United), Nikola Jadric (Belconnen United), James Fletcher (Gungahlin United), Ben Obst (Gungahlin United), Antoni Timotheou (Gungahlin United), Zac Barbatano (Gungahlin United), Lachlan Griffiths (Gungahlin United), Tony Spaseski (Tigers FC), Nik Popovich (Canberra Olympic), Jakeb WIseman (Tuggeranong United), Conor Nolan (Tuggeranong United), Josh Gulevski (Western Sydney Wanderers), Brodie Clarkson (Wollongong Wolves), Jarrad Wiley (Wollongong Wolves), James Carli (Wollongong Wolves), Bul Juach (Wollongong Wolves)
Match Details |
Canberra United v Central Coast Mariners
Foxtel Y-League Round One
Deakin Stadium, Deakin
Saturday, 10th November @ 6:30pm AEDT
Follow the game on Twitter: #CBRvCCM
