Sydney to give youngsters a chance

Sydney FC coach Ufuk will give several of his squad’s younger players an opportunity to shine on the continental stage in Thursday night’s AFC Champions League Two clash with Filipino outfit Kaya–Iloilo at Jubilee Stadium.

With the Sky Blues having already secured second spot in Group E, which brings with it a berth in the competition’s round-of-16, Talay will rest a host of his first-choice players ahead of Sunday night’s A-League game against Central Coast in Gosford.

“We’ll give an opportunity (against Kaya-Iloilo) to some young players, and some players that possibly haven’t had as much game time,” Talay said.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to expose them to this environment as well.

“I believe it’s very important to give them the opportunity, so I’m looking forward to the game to see what they can produce.”

Sydney’s team on Thursday night is likely to include the likes of young talent Nathan Amanatidis, Zachary De Jesus, Tiago Quintal and Wataru Kamijo, fringe quartet Jaiden Kucharski, Adrian Segecic, Pat Wood and Joel King, as well as deputy goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares.

“For me, in a competitive goal-keeping squad, every minute that I get is important, and every match I play is like a World Cup final for me,” Devenish-Meares said.

“I just want the performance to be as it should be, and I have high expectations of how we will play.”

Talay said star import Douglas Costa, who has been hampered in recent weeks by a hamstring injury, would be “definitely available” for Sunday’s battle with the Mariners.