Teen plays with style to snare UK tour spot
THE cracking moustache of Cairns teenager Cody Eszez is what catches your eye at first but it is his skills with the round ball at his feet that the football scouts like about him.
The Cairns High student will represent Australia on a tour to Britain in January 2018, playing against the schoolboy representative teams of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
The Year 12 student was a standout for Queensland recently to be selected to pull on the green and gold.
“I am really excited,” Eszez said.
“I have just got back from representing the Queensland side and now I can’t wait for next year.
“We are over there for two weeks. It will be a great opportunity to take on Premier League academies.”
Those that have seen Eszez play say he has exquisite close control of the ball and an uncanny ability to execute difficult, insightful passes that free up teammates.
The central attacking midfielder plays locally for Leichhardt Lions FC.
“It is like family out there at Leichhardt,” Eszez said.
“I just completed my 13th year at the club. My parents were there as well.”
Eszez is hopeful of securing a deal to play in the UK or in a major Australian city following high school.
Meanwhile, fellow Cairns High student Wini Heatley was named a Young Matilda and travelled to Thailand last month to compete in the Asian Football Confederation Under 16 Women’s championship.