The Australia Cup is truly back in the swing of things, with Cupsets and fantastic storylines already taking place in 2024. During last year's competition, we highlighted the likes of Luka Kolic, Thomas Waddingham, and Jake Girdwood-Reich as players who ultimately enjoyed breakout seasons. As this year's Round of 16 approaches, Front Page Football has assembled a list of 10 U21 players to watch.
Justin Vidic - Newcastle Jets
Age: 20
Position: Striker
Justin Vidic (left) celebrates his second goal in the Newcastle Jets' 2-1 win over Rockdale Ilinden in the Round of 32. (Image: Harley Appezzato)
A young goalscorer in red-hot form kicks off this list. Following the Newcastle Jets' 4-1 victory over Western United in the preliminary play-off round of the Cup, Justin Vidic was the only on-field player who was an unused substitute for the Jets. This move made it surprising for Rob Stanton to start Vidic ahead of Lachlan Rose in their Round of 32 clash against NPL NSW premiers Rockdale Ilinden.
However, Vidic completely justified Stanton's call, scoring a first-half brace, which was enough to help his side progress to the next round of the Cup. Vidic has also been able to add to this brace since, scoring in a friendly against A-League Men newcomers Auckland FC.
A physically gifted number nine with an eye for goal, Vidic demonstrated excellent awareness and ball-striking ability in and around the box against Rockdale. The 20-year-old striker was able to score his first A-League Men goal in just 106 minutes of action last season and will certainly be looking to secure more minutes with the first team this season, particularly with the departure of the Jets' record holder for most goals in a season, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
Alongside Vidic, Newcastle has a youthful squad with many talented players, so you should watch them. Matthew Scarcella (20) is a promising central midfielder who has made his way straight into the Jets' starting line-up since joining on loan from Sydney FC. Meanwhile, the electrifying Clayton Taylor (20) provides excellent directness and speed from the wing that the Jets' Round of 16 opponents, Macarthur, will ultimately have to find a way to deal with.
Frans Deli - Macarthur
Age: 19
Position: Central midfielder
Macarthur's Frans Deli made his senior debut for the club in the Round of 32. (Image: Tahlia Daly)
Following the notable and highly publicised departures of Ulises Davila, Clayton Lewis, and Kearyn Baccus and an ACL injury to Kristian Popovic that will keep him out for the entirety of the upcoming season, Macarthur's once-dense midfield now has available spots to be filled.
Frans Deli will likely be a candidate to supply his talents in this area and become an essential member of the Bulls' side, signing a scholarship deal with the Campbelltown-based club after previously coming through the youth ranks of the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Deli is a highly touted player, notably a member of the Young Socceroos squad that defeated France, the Netherlands, and Denmark in succession during the 2023 Marbella Tournament. Deli is a diminutive midfielder who possesses excellent tenacity, ball-winning abilities, and technical ability in the middle of the park.
Macarthur head coach Mile Sterjovski opted to start Deli in his first senior appearance for the Bulls in their Round of 32 match against the O'Connor Knights, and he certainly impressed. Deli displayed his defensive capabilities in midfield, finishing with three interceptions and three tackles while also grabbing an assist for Macarthur's opening goal.
Deli was interestingly not the only teenager who started for Macarthur, with 18-year-old defender Joshua Damevski debuting and playing a full 90 minutes after joining the club from Melbourne City's academy. Ariath Piol (19) is another one to keep your eyes peeled for, primarily used as a super-sub to add speed and excitement to the Bulls' attack, which could prove overwhelming against the tired legs of the Jets in their upcoming Cup clash.
Emile Peios - South Melbourne
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
South Melbourne's Emile Peios in action against the Wellington Phoenix in the Round of 32. (Image: Behind The Lens - LMR Facebook)
Fresh off a Dockerty Cup victory, securing the NPL Victoria premiership, and a famous Cupset over Wellington Phoenix in the Round of 32, South Melbourne is undoubtedly in a good spot approaching their Cup match against NPL Queensland side Olympic FC.
While plaudits for South's excellent form have been given to their top goalscorer this season, Harry Sawyer (and rightfully so), Emile Peios has gone under the radar the season. Formerly of Melbourne City and Sint-Truiden in Belgium, Peios joined Hellas heading into this season and has not looked back.
The 21-year-old has offered excellent versatility for his side, featuring across the midfield and on either wing at times this season while being able to impact games both starting and from the bench. Peios played the full 90 minutes against Wellington, displaying impressive technical ability and work rate against A-League Men opposition. While South Melbourne largely sat back against the Phoenix, holding just 31% possession for the game, a home fixture against Olympic FC presents an opportunity for Peios to create chances assuming his side adopts a more positive attacking approach.
Lucas Inglese also certainly deserves an honourable mention for South Melbourne, a towering 20-year-old who has shown the ability to cover positions across defence and midfield and has contributed to some crucial moments for the club where he rose through the ranks.
Luka Jovanovic - Adelaide United
Age: 19
Position: Striker
Luka Jovanovic in action during Adelaide United's NPL SA Elimination Final against the Modbury Jets. (Image: Will Zhao)
One of the in-form players in the country right now, Luka Jovanovic, is on fire. The 19-year-old scored eight goals and provided one assist across his past three games with Adelaide United's NPL side, while also scoring goals for the first team in a friendly against the Adelaide Croatia Raiders and against Blacktown City in the Australia Cup Round of 32, which ensured United progressed through to the next round.
He has already received a notable amount of senior-level experience, making 37 appearances with the Reds' first team to date. This total will likely skyrocket this season, with Hiroshi Ibusuki's departure leaving Jovanovic and recent recruit Archie Goodwin as the options to lead the line for Adelaide.
Jovanovic is without question one of the most promising attacking talents in Australian football at the moment. The young centre-forward was a member of the Young Socceroos squad that competed in the Marbella Tournament, forming significant depth alongside the likes of Thomas Waddingham and Max Caputo in the striking department.
He is a pure striker, possessing excellent technical ability, pressing intensity, and an eye for goal. Jovanovic combines the instincts of a poacher, sniffing out chances in the opposition box while also being able to receive the ball in deeper areas and create opportunities for teammates or himself.
Jovanovic and the Reds will have the difficult task of travelling to Western Australia to face Olympic Kingsway, a team currently on a five-game winning streak and top of the NPL WA. Along with Jovanovic, the likes of Panagiotis Kikianis (19, centre-back), Panashe Madanha (20, right-back/winger), Ethan Alagich (20, defensive/central midfielder), Jonny Yull (19, central midfielder), and Yaya Dukuly (21, winger) could be some names to keep an eye out for, who appear to be some of the core figures forming Adelaide United's side this season.
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Joshua Okane - Hume City
Age: 20
Position: Central midfielder
Joshua Okane in action for Hume City. (Image: Hume City F.C. Facebook)
Securing a spot in the NPL Victoria Finals Series for the first time since 2021, Hume City have enjoyed an exceptional season that could be bettered heading into their Round of 16 clash against recent Victoria Premier League 2 champions FC Melbourne Srbija.
Hume's attacking firepower this season, consisting of Amar Abdallah, Mickel Platt, and notably former Southampton winger and Welsh senior international Lloyd Isgrove, has certainly caught the attention of many; however, the hard work of others behind them also deserves praise.
In particular, this season, 20-year-old Joshua Okane has been very impressive for Hume. After only making three substitute appearances in 2023, Okane has started 22 games this time as an integral part of Hume's midfield. He is a hard-working and energetic presence in the middle of the park and a talented presser and ball-winner who averages 8.9 ball recoveries and 2.2 interceptions per game in the league.
While offering defensive output, particularly for a side that emphasises a high-pressing system, Okane is also particularly impressive with his ability to pick up the ball and drive through the middle of the park. He has completed 2.8 dribbles per game at a 75% success rate in the NPL Victoria this season.
Cardiff Pond - Lions FC
Age: 19
Position: Goalkeeper
19-year-old Cardiff Pond has been entrusted with being Lions FC's first-choice goalkeeper this season. (Image: Lions FC Facebook)
Clubs backing a teenager as a first-choice goalkeeper is quite a rare sight, representing significant trust and belief in the respective player. Lions FC head coach Darren Sime has adopted this bold strategy this season, opting for 19-year-old Cardiff Pond in goals. After stints with Brisbane Roar's academy and Olympic FC, Pond returned to his former club at the start of the 2024 NPL Queensland season and has not looked back.
Pond has played 18 times in the league this season, making 2.6 saves per game (69% save rate) and is ranked third amongst goalkeepers in the least goals conceded per game (1.2) in the NPL Queensland this season. Along with shot-stopping, Pond's distribution is one of the best among goalkeepers in the league, having completed the third-most accurate passes per game (91% accuracy) and 3.3 long passes per game (63% accuracy).
Lions and their 2005-born gloveman will face a significant challenge in the Round of 16, drawing the Western Sydney Wanderers, who knocked off fellow NPL Queensland side Brisbane City in the previous round of the Cup.
Along with Pond, Luke Broderick (20, attacker) will be one to watch for Lions after scoring against Perth RedStar in their Round of 32 clash, along with 16-year-old Pranav Vallabh, who has already made ten appearances at senior level.
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Alex Badolato - Western Sydney Wanderers
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Alex Badolato celebrates his goal in the Western Sydney Wanderers' 2-1 win over Brisbane City in the Round of 32. (Image: Richard Haines Photography)
Scoring nearly three years ago on his senior debut in the formerly-named FFA Cup Round of 32, Alex Badolato has started to receive the opportunities to display his immense talent over the last year or so for the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Badolato made 12 appearances (10 starts) last season in the A-League Men under Marko Rudan, where the teenager showed glimpses of his ability during quite a chaotic campaign. Badolato will undoubtedly hope that under new Wanderers boss Alen Stajcic and after receiving the number 10 jersey following Milos Ninkovic's retirement, he can feature more frequently and consistently in the first team.
The versatility he can offer his side may help Badolato's case to contribute more this season. In 2023/24 under Rudan, Badolato was often utilised as a second striker, pressing in a front two out of possession and then dropping in between the lines to utilise his technical ability in possession. While appearing quite raw at the professional level, Badolato put up solid per 90-minute stats in the A-League Men for chances created (1.56) and expected assists (0.16) while registering two impressive assists in his limited game time.
Along with his professional performances, Badolato has commonly featured in a midfield pivot for Western Sydney's NPL side, where he has proven to be capable on the defensive end, averaging 3.5 interceptions and 6.2 ball recoveries per game this season. He does not only feature in midfield roles, though, as Badolato has played a fair share on the left wing during his short career, notably playing and scoring here for the Wanderers in their Round of 32 clash against Brisbane City. This position could certainly be one we see Badolato feature in for the Wanderers this season, particularly with the rumoured overseas interest in Nicolas Milanovic and Marcus Younis, along with the recent departure of Lachlan Brook.
Besides Badolato, the Wanderers seem to be placing greater emphasis on youth development this season, with the likes of Anthony Pantazopoulos (21, centre-back), Oscar Priestman (21, central midfielder), Aydan Hammond (20, winger) and Dylan Scicluna (20, full-back/midfielder) all likely to become increasingly essential members for Stajcic's Wanderers.
Kasey Bos - Melbourne Victory
Age: 20
Position: Left-back
Melbourne Victory youngster Kasey Bos is the younger brother of Socceroos left-back Jordan Bos. (Image: Melbourne Victory Instagram)
While Patrick Kisnorbo's appointment may have shocked and disappointed some Melbourne Victory fans due to his past stint at Melbourne City, the prospect of Kisnorbo developing another member of the Bos family is undoubtedly enough to win fans over.
Like his older brother Jordan, Kasey is an athletically gifted player who specialises down the left side of the pitch. With the speed and directness of a winger, combined with the motor and physicality of a full-back, the 20-year-old has the tools to become a top player.
In his limited time as head coach, Kisnorbo has already set Victory up in a three-at-the-back system in possession, where Jason Geria tends to tuck in as a right-sided centre-back, and Bos bombs forward essentially as a winger. This tactic worked a treat early on in their Round of 32 match against the Lambton Jaffas, where Bos earned a penalty for his side within the first 10 minutes after being tripped by an opponent who could not deal with his speed in the box.
This type of forward run is certainly not a one-off, too, with Bos notably picking up the assist for Nishan Velupillay's goal in the dying stages of last season's Elimination Final against Melbourne City, where he beat Steven Ugarkovic to a ball in behind and helped create Paul Izzo's heroic scenes in Victory's penalty shootout win. Bos has continued to impress in friendlies against NPL Victoria sides Green Gully and Altona Magic, with another test approaching with a matchup against North West Sydney Spirit and their experienced captain and right-back Grant Cornwell.
It appears Bos will be handed starting opportunities this season as a left-back for Victory over the more experienced head of Adama Traore. While this decision does incur a degree of risk, it is arguably outweighed by the significant upside and potential to consider in developing a young player who can generate a substantial fee in the future, as we saw with his older brother Jordan departing rivals City in a $2 million transfer.
While Bos is the pick of the bunch for Victory, Jordi Valadon (21, central midfielder), Jing Reec (21, striker), Joshua Rawlins (20, right-back), Joshua Inserra (19, centre/right-back), and notably 17-year-old winger Alex Lee are players who could receive some opportunities this season, particularly when looking at Kisnorbo's past track-record in putting faith in and ultimately developing players into Socceroos (Jordan Bos, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O'Neill, Nathaniel Atkinson, and Marco Tilio).
Zachary Kierpal - Moreton City Excelsior
Age: 21
Position: Striker
Zachary Kierpal (black) and strike partner Marquez Walters have lit up the NPL Queensland this season. (Image: Josh Springfield Photography)
One half of the clinical striking duo that has torn NPL Queensland apart this season, Zachary Kierpal, has been excellent for Moreton City Excelsior. While his partner in crime and shark-celebration extraordinaire Marquez Walters (22) is unfortunate to miss out due to the age cut-off and demands an honourable mention for his utterly ridiculous output this season, Kierpal must be recognised for his contributions to the attack.
Joining the club from Olympic FC at the start of the season, Kierpal quickly established himself as a critical player for his side. Registering 14 goals and four assists in 20 games, Kierpal has helped his side to second place and one of the top goalscoring tallies in the league. While he has consistently found the back of the net, Kierpal also possesses the ability to create for his teammates, averaging 1.1 key passes per game, while he is a capable dribbler who can take on defenders (averaging 3.2 successful dribbles per game at a 73% success rate).
The 21-year-old has continued this form into the Australia Cup, scoring from a cross-come-shot and assisting Walters (of course) in Moreton City's 5-1 win over Campbelltown City in the Round of 32.
Hosting their upcoming Round of 16 clash against an impressive but defensively leaky Perth Glory side, who have conceded six goals in their two Australia Cup matches, Kierpal and other Moreton City youngsters such as Benjamin Holliday (21, winger) could cause the A-League Men side some issues.
Abdul Faisal - Perth Glory
Age: 18
Position: Left winger
Perth Glory's Abdul Faisal celebrates his goal against Melbourne City in the Round of 32. (Image: Tom McCarthy)
Finishing off the list with a bang, Abdul Faisal has been electric since signing for Perth Glory. Signed from Bulls FC Academy in July, Faisal's performances for his new club have raised a question to Macarthur: how on earth has he slipped through the cracks?
Tied as the top goalscorer for the Australia Cup Final Rounds, scoring a brace on debut against Brisbane Roar and opening the scoring in a cracking game against Melbourne City, Faisal has already proven himself against A-League Men opposition.
With his playing style likened to Mohamed Salah by Socceroos legend and Glory Football Director Stan Lazaridis, Faisal is a direct and speedy winger with an eye for goal. The 18-year-old put himself on the map earlier this year after scoring back-to-back hat-tricks for Bulls FC Academy, with Perth Glory swooping in for the talented teenager.
Faisal has come with a raft of signings made by the Glory's new ownership, including the highly-regarded David Zdrillic as head coach. Demanding intensity and energy from his players in a high-pressing system, Faisal has already shown an ability to defend from the front after completing four tackles in his 70 minutes against Melbourne City.
Glory has targeted talented young players in their squad building this season, with the signings of Zach Lisolajski (18, centre/left-back), Adam Bugarija (19, attacking midfielder), and 20-year-old striker Nathanael Blair —tied with Faisal on three goals—complementing the likes of Kaelen Majekodunmi (20, centre-back) and Khoa Ngo (18, winger) and other existing youngsters at the club.
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Statistics sourced from SofaScore and FotMob.
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