Melbourne Heart FC’s National Youth League side is aiming to bow out on a high with three points against Sydney FC in its final match of the season according to coach Joe Palatsides.
Melbourne Heart FC-s National Youth League side is aiming to bow out on a high with three points against Sydney FC in its final match of the season, youth coach Joe Palatsides said.
If Heart defeats the Sky Blues in their Round 18 encounter at Epping Stadium from 3pm this afternoon, and other results fall in Heart’s favour, Palatsides- side can leapfrog Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory from sixth position into fourth place.
Palatsides said that would be an ideal way to finish a season which has seen his side fall off the championship pace in 2013.
“Obviously it-s the last game of the year, so we really want to finish the season on a high and with three points,” Palatsides said.
“Other results are out of our hands, but if we do our job we can finish in the top four and we can be satisfied with that.
“We maybe let ourselves down with a few results in the last few months, but we have lost a number of players to injury, while promoting a number of key players, such as Jeremy Walker and Sam Mitchinson to the senior team.
“If we look over the season, we have promoted around five youth team players, and the main purpose of the team is being able to blood young players for the A-League side, so we can be very proud of their progress.
“I think overall, we have done very well considering we started pre-season a lot later than some other clubs and our team came together at the last minute.
“Most importantly, I hope the season has been a learning curve for our players and it would be great to finish on a high today.”
Heart has had a varied campaign, with eight wins, eight losses and one draw, with 31 goals scored and 31 against.
Match Details
National Youth League Round 18
Melbourne Heart FC v Sydney FC
Venue: Epping Stadium
Kick-Off: 3pm
