Four talented Young Roar players have caught the eye of new Head Coach John Aloisi and will join the club’s senior squad when training resumes next month.
Abrahim Yango, Nicholas D’Agostino, Mitch Hore and Luke Pavlou have been impressive in the club’s Foxtel National Youth League and PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues Queensland campaigns this season.
The Young Roar were runners-up on goal difference only in the NYL and are currently fourth on the PS4NPLQLD table with matches in hand.
The quartet are now likely to be rested from PS4NPLQLD competition in the coming weeks to prepare for an expected rigorous schedule of training leading up to the Roar’s 17 July match against Liverpool FC.
Aloisi has been reviewing the club’s football operations since he was appointed last month and has been a regular spectator at the Roar’s PS4NPLQLD Senior and Under-18 matches.
“I am building for a strong and successful future at the Roar and our young players and ongoing youth development program will be a massive part of that,” Aloisi said.
“These four promising young players have showed enormous potential in recent months and now I want to get a closer look at them in a first-team environment.”
For D’Agostino, the news continues a dream few weeks.
On Tuesday, he took part ino a camp with the national Under-17 squad (Joeys) in preparation for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile in October.
He also got minutes coming on as a late substitute in the Roar’s 3-0 win over against Spanish La Liga side Villarreal earlier this month. Of the four, D’Agostino could still play in some PS4NPLQLD games to keep match-fit for the Joeys.
Yango netted a hat-trick in front of Aloisi in the Young Roar’s 8-1 PS4NPLQLD win over South West Queensland Thunder at Perry Park last Sunday. He now has six goals in six PS4NPLQLD appearances this season.
Yango also played in the Roar’s final two Hyundai A-League matches last season against Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets.
Young Roar coach John Sime said the four players had worked hard in recent months to improve their skills and contributions to the team.
“They still have a lot to learn but they have the opportunity now to step up to the next level,” Sime said.
“They have to make the most of that opportunity and show John (Aloisi) that they deserve to be included in the first-team training squad.”
The absence of the four will leave a huge hole in Sime’s team for the Young Roar’s PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues Queensland clash with Brisbane City FC at Perry Park on Sunday.
City are 11th on the table after an indifferent start to the season but won three in a row before going down to the Strikers 3-1 in their last game.
Sime said the match would be an opportunity for other Young Roar players to step up and lead the way.
“Our youth development program is all about players getting the chance to advance through the club’s ranks,” he said.
“While the four boys have got the chance to impress the new Head Coach, it is also an opportunity for four other boys to slot into the Youth squad and show what they can do.”
Sunday’s match kicks off at 3.30pm and is preceded by the Under-18s at 1pm. Admission is FREE.
