JUST a few years ago Hudson Fanani would have only dreamt of playing clubs like Inter-Milan, Galatasaray and Newcastle United, but the talented teen is on the cusp of making his football dreams come true at the Viareggio Cup in Italy.
The 17-year-old Yoogali Soccer Club midfielder will join APIA Leichhardt Tigers as part of the prestigious under 19s tournament, which has attracted 48 of the biggest clubs from around the world. The Viareggio Cup has traditionally been a hunting ground for scouts, Fanani is the latest YSC player to make the journey of a lifetime, following the path set by Andrew Vitucci and Dem Torino two years ago.
Speaking to The Area News from Sydney this week, Fanani said he cannot wait to fly out for Italy and test himself against the best players for their age in the world.
“I want to try and get a chance to come back and play for them (APIA) again hopefully, but this trip is mainly about me trying to get better,” Fanani said.
“Even though I have not played with of the guys up here, they have not expected me to pick everything up right away.
“We have a couple of trial games before we fly out and then another couple in Italy before the tournament starts properly.”
Fanani said it was a shock to the system to experience semi-professional training standards in Sydney, but said it will only improve him as a player in the future, either in a YSC or Tigers jersey.
“It was a bit hard the training up here, but I’m slowly getting used to it and the coaches have really helped me out.
“It’s a bit full on, but I’m really enjoying it.”
YSC’s Sante Donadel backed Fanani to make an impact on the APIA coaches and said the club’s relationship with the Premier League side continues to bare fruit.
“That’s the main aim of this relationship we have with them (APIA) so these guys can get a taste of what it takes to get where guys like Andrew (Vitucci) are now,” Donadel said.
“It’s good for us as well, because if and when he (Fanani) does come back, then it’ll be a benefit to us as well.”
Donadel said Fanani already has some skills that could not be taught, but urged the youngster to keep his eyes and ears open in he coming weeks.
“He’s a raw talent in that he’s naturally quick and he can score goals,” he said.
“But APIA will probably show him how to get involved in the game more and how to time his runs, because if he can know when to make a run rather than just doing it at any time then he’ll have a big future.
“But he’s got all of he other skills required, it’s more the mental side of the game that when will need to work on.
“He’s always one guy that always leaves everything
he has on the field so he just needs to listen and do what these coaches ask him to do.
“I don’t think in just over a month he’ll become a
totally different player but if they can see something in him then maybe they might want to keep him in Sydney to work with him.”
The 64th Viareggio Cup will kick off on February 6, with APIA and Fanani flying out on January 27.
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