City teen bound for A-League glory
MELBOURNE City teen Daniel Arzani looks set to be rewarded for his stunning impact role with a start in tonight’s clash away to struggling Perth Glory.
Arzani flipped Saturday’s game on its head just two days after his 19th birthday, coming on and pinning shell-shocked Wellington back before setting up both Ross McCormack goals in the 2-1 win.
City coach Warren Joyce revealed that teen midfielder Connor Metcalfe, 18, would “get minutes very shortly” though he resisted the lure of taking him west with the youth team playing yesterday.
Joyce had no reservations about Arzani after his starring 37-minute Phoenix cameo.
After nine substitute appearances totalling 137 minutes since his debut last season, the coach revealed that the Xfactor player was pushing for a maiden A-League start.
“I think he (Arzani) has got to be considered for that,” Joyce said.
“Obviously he did very well when he came on, did what we asked him to do.
“He’s a good, intelligent kid, he’s desperate to be a successful player and we’ve just got to keep his feet on the ground, keep working the right way and aim towards being a top player.
“There’s been demands on him from the first week of preseason.
“You recognise talent and X-factor talent. Talent alone not used in the right way isn’t enough. I’ve seen that numerous times.
“There’s young players that you’ve not seen yet that can play in the A-League.
“You don’t want kids to just come in, play one game and disappear.
“You want them to turn one game into five, turn five into 20 and then their careers are up and running.
“Young players are fearless as well, because they don’t know any different and it helps the competition.”
Joyce, who has coached Manchester United’s youth team and Championship side Wigan Athletic, was relishing the quick turnaround, accustomed to England’s SaturdayTuesday games.
City’s only tactical session pre-Glory was last night after landing in Perth, having spent Sunday in recovery mode.
Joyce revealed that in-form striker McCormack, who took his season tally to 10 on the weekend, had pulled up well and was expected to start despite being nursed in recent weeks due to a knee injury.
“He has pulled up OK. He’s better than he was after the last two games,” he said.
Meanwhile, Asian Cup Socceroo Nathan Burns could be unleashed on Melbourne Victory tomorrow night by battling Wellington Phoenix.
Rhys Williams returns to marshal the Melbourne Victory defence in what’s likely to be a straight swap for suspended captain Carl Vaelri.
Phoenix coach Darije Kalezic revealed that the cellardwellers were looking to make several more signings in the January transfer window after releasing Gui Finkler and Dario Vidosic.
Serbian Matija Ljujic, 24, could also debut against Victory, with Phoenix awaiting an international clearance before the midfielder officially reunites with former club teammate Andrija Kaluderovic.
HE’S A GOOD, INTELLIGENT KID, HE’S DESPERATE TO BE A SUCCESSFUL PLAYER AND WE’VE JUST GOT TO KEEP HIS FEET ON THE GROUND, KEEP WORKING THE RIGHT WAY ... YOU RECOGNISE TALENT AND X-FACTOR TALENT WARREN JOYCE