Bayern Munich’s rising star Sarpreet Singh has shown he belongs alongside world class superstars, according to his ex-Wellington Phoenix teammate Alex Rufer.
Rufer and Singh were midfield partners during the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season before a rapid ascent for the 20-year-old began when Singh signed for the 29-time German champions on June 30.
MATCH PREVIEW: Paris Saint Germain v Sydney FC
AROUND THE GROUNDS: Arroyo ready to soar with Jets
The Kiwi playmaker initially joined up with Bayern Munich II, the five-time European champions’ reverse side who play in the third tier of German football, but he was thrust into the limelight following a call-up to the first team’s tour of the United States.
Singh racked up 93 minutes in total against European heavyweights Real Madrid, AC Milan and Arsenal, and Rufer believes Singh has proven he is capable of playing alongside, and against, the best players in the world.
“I’ve had a few messages with him back and forth over the past couple of weeks and I think as much as anybody he’s surprised at how quickly it has happened, but I guess it shows the quality that he’s got,” Rufer told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“He’s such a level-headed kid and his feet are firmly on the ground, he’s not getting too far ahead of himself and I’m sure he hasn’t gone out and bought a Louis Vuitton wash bag yet.
“He says ‘I feel quite comfortable, I’m trying my best and I’ll see where it goes’, he’s just a typical, humble, well-rounded Kiwi lad.
“When he moved up to the A-League he didn’t look out of place and even playing against Real Madrid and Arsenal he was not looking a step out of place.
“I think that shows something is special in a player when they can make that jump up.”
“Yeah, he had a nervy 10 minutes against Arsenal, but he seemed at home and I’m sure he’ll go on to play for the first team this season.”
Returning Oar expects Mariners to perform in FFA Cup
Tommy Oar is back with a bang and the Caltex Socceroo insists the Central Coast Mariners have their sights locked on making a big impression in the FFA Cup 2019.
Friday vibes.
Full focus on @FFACup football. All eyes on Wednesday. #CCMFC #FFACup #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/GojwCyIW9x
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) July 26, 2019
The 27-year-old came back from the knee injury which cut his Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Season short in style with a stunning late goal in the 5-0 win against Charlestown City Blues on Tuesday 23 July.
The Gosford club picked up the Hyundai A-League wooden spoon for the second straight campaign in 2018/19 and, under the guidance of newly appointed permanent head coach Alen Stajcic, Oar is determined to help the Mariners kick on this season.
As strong as Central Coast have looked in their pre-season outings so far, Oar believes it’s competitive action that counts – starting with their FFA Cup Round of 32 clash against Maitland on Wednesday 31 July.
“You can play as many friendlies as you like but competitive games are different,” Oar told ccmariners.com.au.
“We’re putting all of our focus into next week and there will be no excuses.”
Mombaerts reveals principles of Melbourne City game plan
New Melbourne City head coach Erick Mombaerts has opened up about the style of play he is trying to implement before the start of the season.
City beat Oakleigh Cannons 4-3 in Mombaerts’ first match in the dugout and he admits there is work to do ahead of the FFA Cup 2019 Round of 32 clash against Campbelltown City on Wednesday 31 July.
Erick Mombaerts says his side is working around the clock to implement an offensive style of play that will be ready for the upcoming season.
Full interview 🎥 https://t.co/GHZxw125bU pic.twitter.com/dtnJYmYHvd
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) July 26, 2019
“The boys did their best and they tried to respect our new principles, especially with build up from the back,” Mombaerts told melbournecityfc.com.au.
“We need to improve the understanding of our game principle and we know that after reviewing the game.
“I’m very impressed about our positioning, our inverted full-backs, our fast-combined movements, so I’m very happy about the style of play we want to set up.
“This style of play is difficult to set up and to understand. It’s an offensive style of play and we try to organise a high press. We need to work every day on game principle, especially offensive.
“We know that it’s important to be ready for the first cup game which is why we are hurrying to be ready.”
