Ray Junna has rounded out his squad for the Foxtel Y-League 2019/20 season ahead of the team’s home opener against the Central Coast Mariners this Sunday.
There will be plenty of local talent on display for Canberra United’s youth team this season, with a number of players having featured heavily in the Capital Football NPL competition in 2019.
Lachlan Griffiths, Zachary Barbatano and Badreldin Abbas all return to the youth side following standout seasons in the NPL, having helped Gungahlin United to their first league championship in almost 20 years.
There will also be plenty of new faces on display for Junna’s side, with 11 of the 17-strong squad preparing for their first seasons in green.
“The squad has come together nicely over the last few weeks,” Junna said.
“It’s great to see a number of new and younger players get an opportunity this year and they have all blended in well with the squad.
“The boys have all worked hard at training and now it’s about doing those things we worked on in a game situation under pressure.”
Junna’s side will be captained by goalkeeper Sam Brown, who returns to the fold having been a part of the inaugural Canberra United youth squad in 2017/18.
Brown was named the 2019 Capital Football NPL Goalkeeper of the Year for club side Canberra FC, and Junna admits he was left impressed by Brown’s leadership and attitude throughout preseason.
“Sam is our only overage player at 22, and has the most experience in the squad,” Junna said.
“He communicates well from the back, he’s a great leader and was an obvious choice for captain.”
Junna says the side is looking forward to getting their season underway on Sunday.
“There are obviously some nerves, but at the same time there is a lot of excitement about opening our season at home,” Junna said.
“We just have to execute what we have been working on at training and hopefully we can get a positive outcome.”
Canberra United kick off their Foxtel Y-League season at 10:30am on Sunday at McKellar Park, before our Westfield W-League squad do battle with Perth Glory from 4:00pm.
Canberra United’s Foxtel Y-League 2019/20 Squad |
Aidan Milicevic, Gian Fiorese, Jackson Paesler, Joe Lawless, Jordan Host, Lachlan Griffiths, Luca Florez, Luca Macor, Michael Piccolo, Nicholas Faust, Nikolau Udjur, Robert Tkatchenko, Sam Brown (GK) (C), Willem Lejeune, Zac Barbatano, Badreldin Abbas, Roy Anderson
Match Details |
Canberra United v Central Coast Mariners
Sunday, 17th November
McKellar Park, ACT
10:30am AEDT
Follow the game on Twitter: #CBRvCCM
