With a strong contingent of youth players coming through the ranks, read about who you’ll be cheering on in future years.
While the Western Sydney Wanderers Hyundai A-League team has been grabbing the headlines with their performance and results, the current crop of youngsters coupled with Tony Popovic-s tendance to blood them in the first team can leave fans safe in the knowledge that the future is bright at Pirtek Stadium.
Foxtel National Youth League players Daniel Alessi and Alusine Fofanah have both started matches in the Hyundai A-League; Alessi-s debut was particularly impressive for a 16 year old, coming up against Alessandro Del Piero in the Sydney Derby.
Jaushua Sotirio was the first of the young crop to make his senior debut this season when he came on against the Newcastle Jets in Round 10 and made an immediate impact forcing a smart save from the opposition keeper.
Mark Cindric, who scored an incredible four goals in a recent NYL match against Perth Glory, has sat on the bench for the first team but is yet to make it onto the pitch.
Young Socceroos Martin Lo, Lawrence Hanna and Shayne D-Cuhna are also in the wings, continually developing and waiting for their chance to impress on the big stage. Bursting with talent, these players also represent the cultural variety of Western Sydney with heritages of Vietnamese, Turkish and Indian respectively.
It is the Wanderers ‘whole club- attitude that puts the emphasis on a holistic approach to running a football club; giving talented youth the opportunity to develop to their full potential – in the long run benefiting not just the first team, but Australian football in general.
Daniel Alessi
The 16 year old born in Sydney made his senior debut on 11 January 2014 against Sydney FC. 186cm tall and weighing 78kgs, the central defender is well on his way to becoming a future Hyundai A-League star and will be looking forward to more opportunities in the Red and Black.
Alusine Fofanah
Coming to Australia as a refugee from Sierra Leone, the 16 year old once scored six goals in two matches while on trial at Manchester City but visa issues meant the move could not be made permanent. The midfielder had sat on the bench previously but made his senior debut against Adelaide United when he started on 19 January 2014.
Jaushua Sotirio
The first of the current crop to make his debut in the Hyundai A-League, the 18 year old came off the bench against Newcastle Jets on 14 December 2014 and impressed onlookers with a solid cameo performance. Born in Sydney, the local lad has been making waves in the Foxtel National Youth League and will be a talent to watch out for.
Mark Cindric
Another talented attacker, the 18 year old from Sydney has yet to play for the senior team but has been given a taste having sat on the bench. A phenomenal goal scoring record in the Foxtel National Youth League has Wanderers fans licking their lips in anticipation of what he may be capable of in the future.
