James Brown

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GOLD Coast United Youth face their most important match of the season this Saturday when they take on National Youth League Premiers, Central Coast Mariners Youth, in a sudden death semi-final at Pluim Park, Lisarow

United’s youngsters finished the regular season on the same points tally as fifth-placed rivals Sydney FC, but sneaked into fourth place on the ladder thanks to their superior goal difference.

Having made the Finals Series at the eleventh hour thanks to Tahj Minniecon’s equaliser against Adelaide United Youth last Sunday, Head Coach Mike Mulvey says his side must now make the most of the opportunity and keep their Grand Final dream alive.

“Our goal was to make it into the Finals Series and we’ve done that,” Mulvey said.

“I have every faith in these players; they understand that they are being prepared for life as professional footballers and part of that is being able to perform on the big stage and learning how to win.

“Getting to the Semi-Final was is part of that and obviously making it to the Grand Final is the biggest stage we have in the National Youth League, so our aim is to get there and perform well.

“Our philosophy has always been to play attacking, entertaining football and we have stuck to that because we believe in it.

“We’re the highest goalscorers in the National Youth League and I’m very proud of that fact because it shows what an attacking team we are.

“We have the second highest scorer in the NYL in our striker Chris Harold and there are a number of players in this team who can score goals for us, so we have every reason to go into the game with confidence.”

After securing the point they needed to cement a spot in the top four, Mulvey said the mood in the dressing room last weekend was more pragmatic than celebratory, with the players chomping at the bit for finals action.

United’s youth mentor declared this as a mark of his side’s single-mindedness and determination to get the job done against the Mariners.

Mulvey said: “After the match last week all they wanted to know was who we were facing in the semi-final.

“There is an eagerness about them and that is a very good sign because it shows we are gathering momentum as we head into the finals.

“I’m very proud of the players and they are hungrier than ever to do well at the weekend. They have always responded to what we’ve asked of them and are eager to learn.

“We will play with tactical shape and apply what we work on in certain parts of the field, but ultimately we will play to win and have a right good go at it.”

Last week’s goalscorer Tahj Minniecon and architect James Brown are both eligible for the tie and will take their place in the side, along with no nonsense defender Zac Anderson who is set for a return from the hip injury that has sidelined him for a fortnight.

The winners will progress to the National Youth League Grand Final and face either Adelaide United Youth or Perth Glory Youth in the season’s showpiece match next weekend.

National Youth League Semi-Final, Saturday 13 March 2010
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS YOUTH v GOLD COAST UNITED YOUTH
At Pluim Park, Lisarow.
Kick-off: 3.00pm (Qld), 4.00pm (AEDT).
Referee: Stuart Wolfe.

Gold Coast United Youth squad:
Jerrad TYSON [gk], Mitchell BEVAN, Koh SATAKE, Zac ANDERSON, Steven TOPALOVIC, Ben HALLORAN, Chris HAROLD, Steven LUSTICA (c), Ben WEARING, Joshua BRILLANTE, Callum HARE, James BROWN, Tahj MINNIECON, Reuben WAY, Tim ANDERSON [gk].

Unavailable: Golgol MEBRAHTU (hamstring injury – indefinite)

Central Coast Mariners Youth squad:
Mathew RYAN [gk], Nik MATIC [gk], Panny NIKAS (C), Matthew LEWIS, Brady SMITH, Adam ORMSBY, Mitchell DUKE, Scott McGINLEY, Mitchell MALLIA, Manny GIANNAROS, Matthew LIDDALL, Bernie IBINI-ISEI, Nick FITZGERALD, Gavin FORBES, Jerry KALOURIS , Brendan GRIFFIN.
*one to be omitted*

Unavailable: Nathan Sherlock (ankle – 2 weeks).