2016 NPL Youth Team Preview: Round 10

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The Adelaide United Youth Team will host Campbelltown City in Round 10 of the 2016 National Premier League at the Elite Systems Football Centre on Saturday afternoon.

After a mixed couple of weeks, the Young Reds’ form slump continued at the hands of Adelaide Raiders, defeated 2-0 last Saturday night. 

However, The Adelaide United Youth Team will arguably face one of their biggest tests of the year when they face second placed Campbelltown City on Saturday.

Coach of the Young Reds, Mark Jones, believes his side is ready to face Campbelltown despite the team’s injuries and not ideal preparation heading into the match.

“The preparation for those three games wasn’t ideal with major focus on the first team and players going up and down each week,” said Jones.

“Amongst this we haven’t had a full complement of players as well with Ben Warland and Ruon Tongyik both injured, so it’s been a quite tumultuous period but hopefully we can get a good week of training in to be ready for this Saturday.

“At the end of the day nothing changes, we prepare as we do for any other game and hopefully we have a full complement of players for the last couple of days leading into the match this week.”

Jones also mentioned that the side will need to be at their best to defeat Campbelltown which he highlighted as one of the best teams at the start of the season. 

“Campbelltown are a very good football team,” said Jones.

“Out of the teams which I saw in the pre-season, them and Adelaide City are two of the best teams in the way they play their football.

“So this week we need to be sound defensively and need to capitalise on our chances and punish teams when given the chance.”

Although the odds will be against them, Jones believes if the Young Reds can play their game then the result will look after itself.

“Our aim is to play the style, no matter who we play,” said Jones.

“We are still up there in the league, so a win this week will give us a lot of confidence and overall I think we are doing really well by pushing these teams right to the end each week.