It says a lot about the ability and progression of Teresa Polias, that in a team that contains experienced Matildas Heather Garriock, Kyah Simon and Servet Uzunlar, the Sydney FC coaching staff are raving about the emerging youngster.
It says a lot about the ability and progression of Teresa Polias, that in a team that contains experienced Matildas Heather Garriock, Kyah Simon and Servet Uzunlar, the Sydney FC coaching staff are raving about the emerging youngster.
The classy midfielder has been a standout in the Sky Blues W-League campaign so far, taking part in every game and playing a leading role in the club-s charge to the finals.
It-s a major reason why Sydney are well-placed heading into the final rounds of the season and a strong chance of going one better than their grand final defeat last season.
And all this while also juggling work and a Masters degree in primary school teaching.
“I-m not sure how I did it all,” the 21-year-old conceded.
“There was a lot of late nights and hard work and I just tried to do as much as I could. I tried not to leave things to the last minute, which was hard to do sometimes.”
“It-s just a matter of staying on top of things and keeping organised.”
Which mirrors very well with the way Polias approaches things on the field too.
In the vital holding midfield role for the Sky Blues, she likes to keep things simple and is very much the heartbeat of the Sydney FC side.
Almost every attack runs through the gifted feet of the Darlinghurst junior, which allows the other players around her do their job.
“I-m really happy with how things are going things season. I-ve worked really hard and feel like I-ve done fairly well in every game,” Polias said.
“As a team we need to keep it going. We-ve got two games until the finals and we need to get six points.
“Nothing is set in stone yet, we want to head into the finals in good form.”
After a disappointing defeat to Newcastle Jets in their last game, Polias said the Sky Blues are primed for a big improvement against the Glory, a side they beat 11-0 earlier this season.
And a major driving force is the memory of last season-s grand final defeat to the Roar.
“We really want to get there and make up for last year,” Polias said.
“We-re all drawing and that experience now. It-s spurring us on for sure.”
A youth international with the Young Matildas, Polias also has one full international cap with the Matildas to her name, way back in 2007 at just 16-years-old.
While extremely proud of that achievement, Polias describes that milestone as a “technicality”.
“I remember the Matildas had failed to qualify for a tournament and had one qualifying game left against Hong Kong,” Polias explains.
“We (Young Matildas) were preparing for a tournament at that time so the whole team played in that game. It-s a bit of a technicality but I do have a cap.”
Asked about the prospect of getting a more permanent role in the Matildas said in the future, Polias said: “I-d love to, I-ve just got to do all I can to get there.”
“I-m working hard in every game so we-ll just see what happens, I can only control what I can which is play well for Sydney FC.”
