Who knows who’ll be watching when Sydney United 58 Fc host Canberra FC in the first match of the inaugural NPL Finals Series this afternoon.
Who knows who-ll be watching when Sydney United 58 FC host Canberra FC in the first match of the inaugural National Premier Leagues (NPL) Finals Series this afternoon. No doubt there will be scouts from other clubs in the competition and there may also be some A-League club representatives keen to check up on some of the best talent running around in our second-tier.
While most A-League clubs are close to finalising their rosters for the upcoming season, there are still a few places that need to be filled. The NPL Finals Series may provide the perfect shop window for someone to break through to the big time.
This will not be front of mind for Glen Trifiro when he lines up for Sydney United at Edensor Park, with the team-s progression in the tournament the all-important consideration. However the midfielder, who has come through the academies at Perth Glory and the Central Coast Mariners, hopes to one day join brother Jason in the A-League.
“It-s a national competition so clubs and teams are going to show interest,” said Trifiro. “Obviously it would be sensational if something was to come out of it but I-ll be concentrating on doing my job for the team and helping ensure we get the right result.
“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in a semi-professional environment but feel the step up would only improve my game if I was given the opportunity.”
According to Trifiro, who was recently named in the all start NSW Premier League team for the 2013 season, it-s been business as usual at Sydney United. The minor-premiers have put the disappointment of missing the grand final after bowing out of the finals through consecutive penalty shoot-out defeats.
“Our preparation has been good, building on all the hard work we’ve done throughout the season,” he said. “It was a cruel way to bow out as we weren’t beaten in a sense but that-s part and parcel of football.
“We had eight days off after our season finished to freshen up and we’ve come back and had a really good hit out against the Sydney FC youth team. We certainly haven-t lost anything mentally or physically.”
For a player who has played across the country, Trifiro, 23, has thoroughly enjoying his football under Mark Rudan this campaign, in particular the technical nous he has brought to the club.
“Mark is fantastic. He-s been professional for some time and this has certainly carried on in his coaching.
“I find you get more knowledgeable footballers in Sydney, with an emphasis on development, structure and education which has been refreshing.”
Despite being on the precipice of turning professional, Trifiro has still managed to carve out a career in football. He runs a football academy, Futboltec, with his brother Jason that has long been coaching some the football fundamentals recently identified in the second edition of the National Curriculum.
“We started up about five years ago, working with individual players and we’ve now got it to the point where it-s almost a full-time job.
“We don-t call it a job because we enjoy it so much but it gets me on the park working with players. I really enjoy being a full-time footballer in that sense.”
