Ahead of this weekend’s first leg Semi Final, KEEPUP selects a combined best Under-23 XI from both Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners.
At both Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners, the kids are more than just alright. In fact, they both have stars who are growing before our very eyes.
Adelaide and the Mariners have made a name for themselves throughout this season for blooding a plethora of youngsters, who continue to come along in leaps and bounds.
The numbers don’t lie either, in fact, according to Opta, the two teams rank among the highest in the Isuzu UTE A-League for minutes given to players under the age of 23, with Central Coast sitting in first (9370 minutes, 37% of total mins) and Adelaide in a couple spots back in third (8393 and 32%) –
This weekend, two of the league’s youngest teams lock horns in the first of a two-legged Semi Final, where a spot on the Grand Final is on the line.
Adelaide, the hosts of this weekend’s first leg, have unearthed two of Australia’s most promising talents – Joe Gauci and Nestory Irankunda – who are set to have a massive say in how the tie plays out over the next week.
They are only just a couple of the young talents at Reds coach Carl Veart’s disposal and if his words are anything to go by – they will get their chance on the biggest stage.
“It’s just a reflection of what we want to be as a club. We back (young players) in, and give them that opportunity,” Adelaide coach Carl Veart said after their 4-4 draw with Perth Glory.
“I’ll always say this: young kids will surprise you. Yes, they will make mistakes, but there’s a lot of upside. They give a lot of energy, and at times they play with no fear.
“We’ve relied a lot on our younger players this year, they’ve played big minutes in crucial games as well. And that won’t change while I’m still here at the club.”
While in Gosford, Nick Montgomery has turned to youth to make up much of the core of his team over the last couple of seasons.
Among those youngsters flourishing under Montgomery’s tutelage are Nectar Triantis, Josh Nisbet and Sammy Silvera who have all put together breakout campaigns – while the likes of Garang Kuol, Kye Rowles and Lewis Miller have since departed for Europe over the last 12 months.
“This project started years ago,” Mariners coach Montgomery said after their 4-1 win over Adelaide in late April.
“(We) totally rebuilt the academy with the help of some really good people and too many to mention, but we restructured, rebuilt in that space and then when I got the opportunity last year, I think you saw the amount of young players.
“I think we were (the) number one club in AFC for developing young players and and giving them minutes in the first team, so to do that is not easy.
“You need to have young lads that are good enough. They don’t get in my first team if they’re not good enough or they don’t deserve it. They have to work hard, and if they do, they’ll get the opportunity.”
And with an eye towards Saturday night’s first leg, KEEPUP runs the rule over the two sides and selects a combined best Under 23 XI and bench from the two teams.
MORE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE NEWS
ANDRIOLI: Meet the youth guru who discovered Irankunda & plotted ‘mission impossible’ against the Socceroos
PODCAST VIEW: A 13-game run is over for the Reds – and it’s a good omen ahead of the Semi Finals
EDERSON & OBLAK: How a coach who helped develop two of the world’s best goalkeepers landed on the Central Coast
SEMI FINALS: Everything you need to know
Goalkeeper: Joe Gauci (Adelaide United)
Over the last few seasons, Joe Gauci has established himself as one of the league’s premier goalkeepers.
The Adelaide United shot-stopper earned his debut in March 2021 due to an injury to then number one James Delianov and has since retained his spot between the sticks. Gauci has a nice blend of height, speed, reflexes and brilliant shot-stopping that makes him one of the most complete keepers in the competition.
At 23, you can only expect him to continue developing, which is an exciting prospect for football fans.
Gauci’s form for the Reds has been rewarded with a call-up to the Socceroos squad, earning his first national team cap against Ecuador at Marvel Stadium – the same venue he debuted at two years prior.
Right-back: Panashe Madanha (Adelaide United)
Madanha is one of the latest Adelaide youngsters to show glimpses of enormous potential in his first few months in the senior set-up.
The 18-year-old was handed his Isuzu UTE A-League starting debut in early January in a 2-0 win over Perth Glory, but was soon after relegated to the bench as Javi Lopez returned.
Perhaps Madanha’s greatest quality isn’t his defensive attributes, but rather his ability to get forward up and down the right-flank with his blistering speed.
Madanha also started in three of the Young Socceroos’ AFC U20 Asian Cup contests, including the heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Uzbekistan.
Centre-back: Nectar Triantis (Central Coast Mariners)
Triantis has been one of the breakout stars of the 2022/23 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign, bursting onto the scene in his first season at Central Coast.
The 19-year-old centre-back signed from the Western Sydney Wanderers in the off-season and within weeks had established himself as an integral cog in the heart of the Mariners defence, stepping into the void left by Socceroo Kye Rowles.
His strong defensive edge, coupled with a brilliant passing range make him one of the more well-rounded centre-halves in the league, forging a formidable duo alongside Brian Kaltak.
Triantis’ performances have also been recognised with call-ups to the Young Socceroos squad, where he started in all four U20 Asian Cup contests.
Centre-back: Alexandar Popovic (Adelaide United)
Another of the league’s most promising young centre-backs is Adelaide United’s Alexandar Popovic
Popovic debuted late last season and fit in seamlessly in the Reds’ defence, standing out in their run to the Semi Finals, where he went toe-to-toe with the likes of Jason Cummings, Marco Urena and Jamie Maclaren, and more than held his own.
Similarly to Triantis, Popovic’s best asset is not only his defensive capabilities, but his calmness in possession and wide range of passing.
The 20-year-old started the season strongly, before a dip in form in the middle of the campaign saw him dropped to the bench – with Carl Veart opting for the likes of Lachlan Barr, Ben Warland and Nick Ansell ahead of him in recent time.
Since February 26, Popovic has only played 120 minutes and wasn’t in the squad for their 2-0 Elimination Final win over Wellington Phoenix.
Despite his recent struggles, he still has bucketloads of potential to build off and looks set to blossom should he rediscover the form that made him an A-Leagues All Star last season.
Left-back: Jacob Farrell (Central Coast Mariners)
Australia is in good hand’s in the left-back position going forward.
While most of the plaudits have gone to Melbourne City’s Jordan Bos this season, Central Coast’s own Jacob Farrell has quietly put in another impressive campaign. Farrell has played at both left-back and centre-back, putting in solid shifts wherever Montgomery has placed him in the XI.
The 20-year-old started the season in exceptional form, scoring two goals and tallying two assists in the first 10 rounds.
However, after both Triantis and Kaltak were unavailable due to international duty or suspension, Farrell was shifted into the heart of defence, earning plaudits for his performances by teammate Danny Vukovic who labelled him the next Kye Rowles.
With the centre-back duo returning, Farrell has since shifted to the bench, losing his place behind James McGarry in the starting XI. The youngster was also cut down by illness in March which saw him miss the Olyroos camp in northern Italy.
Defensive Midfield: Louis D’Arrigo (Adelaide United)
In one of his most productive seasons to date, Louis D’Arrigo has shone in the middle of Adelaide United’s midfield.
The 21-year-old has become a mainstay in the heart of the Reds engine room, particularly in the second-half of the season alongside Isaias or even further forward as a number ten at times – after Jay Barnett’s recent introduction into the XI.
D’Arrigo’s at his best when he’s dictating things from deep, but recently he’s begun adding goals and assists to his name, scoring twice and dishing off three. His performances this season were recognised at the Alagich Vidmar Awards, where he took home the RAA Members’ Player of the Year.
The youngster has also caught the eye at national team level too, featuring five times in the 2022 U23 Asian Cup with the Olyroos and again earning a call-up for the camp in March.
Central Midfield: Josh Nisbet (Central Coast Mariners)
Nisbet is the heart and soul of the Mariners midfield.
The diminutive box-to-box midfielder has put together a sensational season on the Central Coast, taking his overall game to the next level. While much of the plaudits have centred around the likes of Jason Cummings, Marco Tulio, Sammy Silvera and defensive duo Triantis and Kaltak – Nisbet has quietly put together a very impressive campaign.
His performances were recognised by his peers at their end of season awards night, where he took home four awards – including the club’s top honour – the Mariners Medal.
“He’s an inspiration for everybody. The kid that was told he was too small to play… He’s been one of the best midfielders in the competition all season,” his coach Nick Montgomery said last week.
Central Midfield: Max Balard (Central Coast Mariners)
Another of the Mariners players to fly under the radar this season has been Max Balard – who has forged one of the league’s best midfield partnerships alongside Nisbet.
Balard came into his own last campaign, where he cemented his place in the Mariners engine room alongside Nisbet and at times, fellow emerging youngster Harrison Steele.
The 22-year-old has continued to make strides, starting in all but five games and standing out with his calmness in possession and defensive efforts.
Right Wing: Nestory Irankunda (Adelaide United)
It’s quite simple: when Nestory Irankunda enters the field, it’s time to get the telly on.
There aren’t many, if any at all, more exciting players with a higher ceiling than Irankunda, who has made an unbelievable impact at Adelaide United ever since debuting at the age of 15.
The teenage sensation is one of the league’s most dangerous and impactful players, which is a testament to his unbelievable ability given he’s only 17 and is yet to start a game of league football.
However, in those substitute appearances, he’s gathered a showreel greater than most Australian players who have been in the game for a lot longer than the spritely winger.
Irankunda blends his natural speed and power, with tremendous dribbling and a wicked right foot.
His performances have caught the eye of some of Europe’s best, with Bayern Munich reportedly in the market to sign him on a permanent deal, while closer to home, he earned a Socceroos call-up in March.
Striker: Luka Jovanovic (Adelaide United)
Another Reds attacker who looks set to break-out in the coming seasons is 17-year-old Luka Jovanovic.
The number nine debuted early this season against Western United, but had to wait until March to feature at senior level again where he earned a start in Adelaide’s 4-2 win over Melbourne City.
In the next few weeks, Jovanovic would make his presence felt, scoring three goals in the next six matches and ultimately win the Isuzu UTE Player of the Month for March.
It’s been some journey for Jovanovic, who tore his ACL in 2020 and missed the entirety of the 2021 season, before bouncing back last campaign scoring 12 goals in 22 and earning a scholarship deal.
Left Wing: Sammy Silvera (Central Coast Mariners)
Sammy Silvera has played like a man reborn since returning to Central Coast this season.
After a spell overseas and at cross-town rivals Newcastle Jets, Silvera came home to Gosford on a three-year deal in the off-season and has since recaptured the form that saw him initially burst onto the scene in the 2019/20 campaign under ex-Mariners boss Alen Stajcic.
The 22-year-old has scored six goals this campaign, including a brace against the Jets in late April which helped his side overturn a one-goal deficit to see off their arch-rivals in the Hunter.
Silvera has also tallied four assists to go with his six goals, showcasing his ability to not only hurt opposition teams by scoring but also with his work to get his teammates into good positions.
Bench: James Delianov (Adelaide United), Dan Hall (Central Coast Mariners), Jonny Yull (Adelaide United), Ethan Alagich (Adelaide United), Jay Barnett (Adelaide United), Harrison Steele (Central Coast Mariners), Christian Theoharous (Central Coast Mariners), Bernardo Oliveira (Adelaide United)
Despite his brilliant showing against Wellington Phoenix and being labelled the ‘best young six in the country’ by Carl Veart, Reds midfielder Jay Barnett just misses out on a spot in the starting XI.
Barnett has played significantly less minutes than the aforementioned trio at both Victory and Adelaide, meaning he narrowly misses out simply due to the body of work from the likes of D’Arrigo, Nisbet and Balard.
It’s the same story for fellow young Reds midfielders Ethan Alagich and Jonny Yull along with Mariners’ Harrison Steele who despite having bucketloads of potential, fall just short of a spot in the starting XI.
Central Coast defender Dan Hall and winger Christian Theoharous are also in the squad, along with back-up Reds keeper James Delianov and ultra-talented winger Bernardo Oliveira who has gone through a wretched run of injuries as of late.
