Youngsters ready to seize chance

Words: ACFC Media

Wednesday 31 March 2021

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Four new youngsters are keen to make an impact for Auckland City FC as the countdown to the start of the Northern League continues.

Ilham Hameedi, Matt Ellis, Addison Stewart and Fareed Mohammed are named in the Navy Blues squad but for most of them the training environment is already familiar.

"We've added five or six U-20 players with Aidan Carey and Deandre Vollenhoven having already made a handful of appearances in the ISPS Handa Premiership.

"The likes of Matt Ellis, Ilham Hameedi and Addison Stewart are all on the radar for the New Zealand age-group teams and they've been training with us for almost a year now.

"We're eager to see them get out there on the pitch and showcase their talents," he said.

Carey and Vollenhoven featured in 11 ISPS Handa Premiership matches last summer with Vollenhoven netting his first senior goal for the Navy Blues in the 4-0 win over Hawke's Bay United in January.

Auckland City FC makes its debut in the Northern League when Manukau United visit Kiwitea Street on Friday 2 April.

The Navy Blues travel to McFetridge Park when they travel to face Northern Rovers on Monday.

Friday's game kicks off at 3pm NZDT at Kiwitea Street.

Ends

Match Details
Northern League
Friday 2 April 2021
Auckland City FC v Manukau United FC
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
Kick-off: 3pm NZDT

AC: 24. Cam BROWN (GK), 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 4. Mario BILEN, 6. Brian KALTAK, 7. Cam HOWIESON (c), 8. Albert RIERA, 9. Angus KILKOLLY, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 11. Reid DRAKE, 13. Deandre VOLLENHOVEN, 14. Jordan VALE, 15. Aidan CAREY, 16. Yousif AL-KALISY, 17. Andrew BLAKE, 18. Conor TRACEY (GK), 20. Emiliano TADE, 22. Mohamed AWAD, 23. Alfie ROGERS, 25. Matt ELLIS, 26. Ilham HAMEEDI, 27. Addison STEWART, 28. Fadeen MOHAMMED.

COACH: Jose FIGUEIRA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
S&C COACH: Adria CASALS
ANALYST: Jarrod WALLACE