Sydney FC v Macarthur Bulls: Friends Calem Nieuwenhof, Jake Hollman A-League rivals

For most of their lives these A-League rising stars have been teammates. But that’s changed this season for Calem Nieuwenhof and Jake Hollman.

Now rivals, Jake Hollman and Calem Nieuwenhof have been playing together for years. Pic: Supplied.

They’ve been playing beside each other, discussing tactics and chatting about their hopes and dreams for years.

But on Sunday theses close friends, who have been playing football together since the under 9s at Manly United, will be on opposing teams.

Calem Nieuwenhof and Jake Hollman, who both hail from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, will line up for Sydney FC and Macarthur Bulls respectively in Sunday’s A League local derby at Jubilee Stadium.

Dylan Wenzel-Halls and Calem Nieuwenhof compete for the ball in the Sydney FC v Roar match.

Jake Hollman, left, and Calem Nieuwenhof, right, have been playing together for years. Pic: Supplied.

“It will feel a bit funny,’’ said Nieuwenhof, who has started in three games for Sydney FC this year.

“Jake and I have been really good mates for a very long time.

“We met at Manly United and have pretty much been playing together since until this year.’’

“We started playing in the same time, were in development squads together and then the Sydney FC Academy, the NPL and we won the national youth league for Sydney FC together.

“I’ve probably played with him more than anyone I know.’’

The A-League rivals played together for their entire junior careers. Pic: Supplied.

That changed when Nieuwenhof made his debut for Sydney FC this year and Hollman did the same with new club Macarthur Bulls.

Heading into the round, Macarthur FC sits in third place with a four wins, two draws, three loss record, while Sydney FC, with two less games under the belt, are in fifth place with three wins, two draws and two losses.

Jake Hollman of Macarthur FC takes on the Adelaide United defence.

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Central Coast with six wins and three losses currently lead the A-League table.

“It’s the Sydney derby and it's a big game for us,’’ said Nieuwenhof, who turned 20 in February.

“We really need a win at this stage and hopefully we can replicate what happened before when we beat them 3-0.’’

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