A-Leagues Download host Jake Barker-Daish has revealed how Sydney FC poached new derby star Akol Akon from heated rivals Western Sydney Wanderers.
HOW SYDNEY FC POACHED AKOL AKON:
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Barker-Daish said that Akon was one of the most highly rated players in the Wanderers academy, and had initially been reluctant to leave when approached by the Sky Blues.
“I was told he was one of their best products, and there was a discussion around keeping him at the Wanderers,” Barker-Daish said on the latest episode of Download.
“He wanted to stay there I believe, he wanted to train with the first team.
“He didn’t exactly get those privileges granted, so Sydney FC came in and he jumped the ditch.
“Now he’s played five games and got three assists… in one of the biggest games you could play in.”
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The 16-year-old was one of the stars of Sydney’s 4-1 win Sydney Derby win over the Wanderers, laying on three assists with a combination of quality passing, tireless running and raw strength.
Thomas Sorensen was full of praise for the 16-year-old.
“I thought he was brilliant,” Sorensen said of Akon’s derby performance.
“You can see the physicality… the strength he shows for the last two goals, keeping hold of the ball, and then releasing it at the right time, seeing the opportunities.
“I think [it] bodes well.”
The Sky Blues unveiled Akon as a Sydney FC player in June last year, not long after he scored a hat-trick for the Subway Joeys in a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia aged 15.
He debuted against Newcastle just before Christmas, with last Saturday night’s Sydney Derby the first time he was named in the starting XI.
Being a started clearly agreed with Akon – who played his junior football with St Mary’s Convent SC in Penrith – being FotMob’s highest rated player against his old side.
Akon’s Sydney FC take on Auckland FC at Go Media Stadium this Saturday afternoon – grab your ticket here.
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