SA trio set for under-17 World Cup after helping Joeys qualify for next year’s finals in Peru
ADAM Leombruno lived out a childhood dream when he scored to secure Australia’s place at the under-17 Soccer World Cup. Now the left back, as well as fellow SA Joeys Alex Popovic and Kerrin Stokes, faced the most pivotal year of their careers.
ADAM Leombruno lived out a childhood dream when he scored one of the goals to secure Australia’s place at the under-17 World Cup.
Now the Adelaide United left back, as well as fellow SA Joeys Alex Popovic and Kerrin Stokes, faced the most pivotal year of their young careers as they vied for a ticket to Peru.
Leombruno bombed forward to smash home a stunning left-footed strike and hand Australia the lead in its crucial Asian under-16 championships quarter-final against Indonesia last week.
He was then part of his side’s defensive rearguard as it withstood late pressure and a hostile Kuala Lumpur crowd to win 3-2 and qualify for next October’s finals.
“We were feeling confident because a massive opportunity was there to grab,” Leombruno, 15, said.
“But the nerves were there too, especially playing in front of 14,000 Indonesian fans against about 30 of ours.
“When I was a kid I would look at all the players in the Socceroos and wish that I could be there one day, so to score for my country was the best feeling I’ve had.
“Now I’ve got to keep fighting and earn my spot again, because representing your country on the world stage is every kid’s dream.”
Leombruno missed the Joeys’ opening 3-0 loss to South Korea, but impressed in the 2-1 group victory over Iraq and retained his spot for the remainder of the tournament.
Reds’ youth teammate Popovic, also 15, said the championships had provided lifelong memories. “It wasn’t easy and it was a lot of hard work,” said Popovic, who played in the 3-1 semi-final defeat to eventual title-winner Japan.
“We were all fatigued against Japan and they beat us in everything. But it was an unforgettable experience.
“When we’re adults, we’ll still be talking about it.”
Australia’s last-four berth reclaimed its place among the globe’s under-17 elite, two decades after SA’s Lucas Pantelis, Louis Brain, Aaron Goulding and Iain Fyfe helped it finish runner-up to Brazil. Croydon Kings defender Stokes, a Football Federation SA National Training Centre graduate along with Leombruno and Popovic, said the trio had fresh incentive to improve.
“That was the standard that we’ll be facing at the World Cup or probably even better,” Stokes, 16, said.
“Now we’ve got to work hard for one year and see what happens. It’s the world stage so everyone is watching and everyone can see you.
“Hopefully we get an opportunity to go there.”