As Yoogali SC prepare for their second year in the Capital Football NPL2 competition, they know their opposition for their first tilt at the FFA Cup preliminary stage.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The draw which took place on Wednesday has drawn them to take on Gungahlin Juventus in Canberra for their third round, and should they win that game, they will return home to take on UC Stars in the fourth round.
Coach Luke Santolin said the excitement around his group was clear to see.
"They are an ambitious club, and I think they are one of Canberra older and more successful sides, so we love that, playing teams with a bit of history," he said.
"It is such a cool feeling watching the balls get drawn out live on Facebook makes you feel like you are apart of something a bit bigger than what we are used to out here.
RELATED
"I saw a lot of the boys tuned in to watch the draw, and as soon as the names were drawn out, messages were blowing up in the group chat, and you can just see the closer the season gets, the more excited we are all getting."
The Yoogali side has been back training for a couple of months, and Santolin has been pleased with the role up.
The most pleasing aspect for the coach has been the strengthening of the under 23s side.
"It is a much more balanced side this year," he said.
"Our squad retention in first grade has been almost 100 per cent. Then there is the middle of the range where people like Mason Donadel, Kolby Seers and Jordan Baveresco, who are one year older and they will definitely be able to do a job in first grade.
"We are really happy with where we are sitting, although we will be playing against some big-spending teams this year, so it will be a different beast to 2020."
In more positive news for the club, both Danny Roche and Calvin Roddie will remain at the club for the 2021 season.
This weekend will see the Yoogali side return to the field for their first preseason trial, where they will head to Albury.
"t has been stop-start with a couple of teams withdrawing on us, but Boomers FC have invited us down there," he said.
"The last game was a loss, so you want to right some wrongs and get that winning feeling back. We also have some new players, and we want to see what they can do."
***
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.areanews.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @TheAreaNews
- Follow us on Instagram @theareanews
- Follow us on Google News