2016 NPL Youth Team Preview: Round 16

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Another chapter in the Adelaide United Youth Team story will see them face Croydon Kings in Round 16 of the 2016 National Premier League at Elite Systems Football Centre on Saturday.

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After their Round 5 battle saw the two sides play out a 1-1 draw, the Young Reds host the Croydon Kings this weekend and will fight to dethrone their opponents any chance of claiming a win over them.

For the Adelaide United Youth Team to attain some much needed points in the competition, they cannot let disappointment overshadow their recent efforts and must stick together strongly as a team, relying on their work ethic and good football.

Head Coach, Mark Jones, is adamant on the fact that hard work within the squad and being disciplined, especially as a young team, is key to winning games and being successful. 

“We had a team dinner on Friday night, just to keep the camaraderie up and make sure the boys remain in good spirits,” Jones said.

“Some things unfortunately haven’t gone our way this season, but the only way to get through it is to work harder and that’s what we will try to do.

“The team work great together, but they know they need to work harder when it comes to getting results and it can be difficult but we’ll strive for our best.

“In this competition, we have got punished for our mistakes, and we must learn from that but it is beneficial for the players with regard to their development and furthering their footballing careers.”

Ahead of their match against Croydon, Jones is confident that his Reds must use their work ethic to play for 90 minutes and produce a good performance towards victory as it will be another tough game.

“Croydon are a solid team, and they proved that when we played them at the start of the season,” Jones continued.

“In training we’ve focused on the good old fashioned one v ones, and to go with the runners and a disciplined, not letting anyone through too easily on goal. 

“We will have to work for the full 90 minutes and not switch off for periods of the game that we can punished.”