Heidelberg United aiming to return to NPL Victoria finals in 2024
A host of new faces, including A-League winners and a Japan youth international, has Heidelberg United primed to return to NPL Victoria finals in 2024.
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A raft of new faces has Heidelberg United primed to launch back into NPL Victoria finals contention.
The Warriors have brought in several players under new coach John Anastasiadis, while retaining the majority of last year’s squad that went to the Dockerty Cup final and Australia Cup quarters.
A-League championship-winning squad members Ben Collins (Melbourne Knights) and Yaren Sozer (Gudja United, Malta) headline the inclusions.
Japanese youth international Asaki Yokokawa (Albirex Niigata, Singapore), 2022 Football Northern Territory Player of the Year Nick Stefanidakis (Hellenic), Leo Mazis (Dandenong Thunder), Ryan Govan (Redlands, Queensland), Ben Devine (Bulleen Lions) and John Apostolopoulos (Northcote City) have also arrived at Olympic Village.
Sadly, key signing Nathan Konstandopoulos from Melbourne Victory has suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Anastasiadis was pleased with how the squad was taking shape ahead of the new season.
“I worked with Ben at Western United, Leo is a good, tricky winger who had a stint at Celtic under-21s and we’ve signed a Japanese international, 21-year-old Asaki who can play various positions – wing back, No.6 and No.10,” Anastasiadis said.
“Yaren is from Central Coast Mariners but was playing lately in Malta and we’re really excited to get him in and our second goalkeeper Ryan Govan comes from Redlands and has a big future.
“Ben Devine is an 18-year-old from Bulleen, a young striker who’s scored a lot of goals, and we’ve got a young boy from Darwin, Nick, he’s only 18 too and has won Player of the Year.
“It’s been a shame we’ve had some injuries, one of our marquee players, Nathan, suffered a terrible knee injury but we’re all behind the boy and we’ll give him any type of support he wants.”
Heidelberg ramped up preparations with a Hellenic Cup pre-season tournament in Queensland.
Despite a game being cancelled, almost getting caught up in Cyclone Kirrily could turn out to be a positive for the Warriors.
The team picked up a 1-0 win over Brisbane Olympic and went down 2-1 to Sydney Olympic in the weekend’s earlier matches before getting some unexpected off-field bonding time.
A final friendly against Dandenong City will be played on Wednesday night before the final touches are put on preparations for a Round 1 trip to Altona Magic on Saturday, February 10.
“It’s been really good, the boys have put in some good shifts,” Anastasiadis said.
“It was tough conditions (in Brisbane), very muggy, very warm – we were lucky not to get involved (in the cyclone) – and we were able to get some bonding sessions with the boys, which was really good.
“We were really happy with how the boys, not only performed, but showed their character, their attitude was excellent.
A return to finals is now the focus for 2024.
The Warriors missed the top-six for the first time since returning to the top-flight in 2014, finishing ninth – 10 points out of finals.
While the club reached the final of the Dockerty Cup and quarter-finals of the Australia Cup it parted ways with long-time manager George Katsakis.
A good blend of youth and experience has Anastasiadis confident in the club’s potential.
“We were looking at bringing in experience or up-and-coming young players and I think we’ve got a good mix,” he said.
“We didn’t want to go just experienced players, that’s not what I’m about, I’m glad with the boys we’ve had come in and Heidelberg’s got a big future with these young boys.
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“Heidelberg is a big club so we always want to be vying for the championship and finals.
“No doubt there might be some teething problems at the start but the way the boys have been training and playing I think they’re ready to go.
“We can’t wait to see the Heidelberg faithful come back and support us, they play an integral part in the success of the club.”
Heidelberg’s first home game of the season comes in Round 2 when Oakleigh Cannons visit Olympic Village on Friday, February 16.
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