Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe says teenage talent Jacob Italiano has been given a licence to showcase the full extent of his eye-catching skills.
Italiano started for the second successive match in the 3-1 win at AAMI Park and impressed with his dribbling ability, which helped create the opener.
The 16-year-old’s confidence on the ball was the result of advice Lowe gave him following last weekend’s debut against Melbourne Victory.
“Don’t be conservative. You must go and enjoy yourself,” the Perth boss said of his message.
” I think in the first minute he had three [one-on-ones] and he just went at [Nick Fitzgerald].
“I saw him twice, I think, put Manny Muscat on his backside going shoulder-to-shoulder and then he did it to the big centre-half [Bart Schenkeveld].
“I was amazed for a boy of that age to actually cope physically like he did, with the ball and without the ball.
“And his intelligence to make good decisions is very pleasing.”
Lowe also took pride in the performances of Jeremy Walker and goalscorer Mitch Mallia, who have made the step up from the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues and been afforded minutes in the midst of Glory’s injury crisis.
“My own experiences being a non-league footballer and coming in at 28 or 29 and being a pro, that resonates with me,” he said.
“It’s quite refreshing and it’s good for us as a club [to offer those opportunities].”
