The 10 men’s and women’s players to watch as local soccer gets set to return from COVID-19 shutdown
As soccer prepares to become the first local sport to swing back into action following the COVID-19 shutdown, we present the 10 players for fans to get excited about in SA’s men’s and women’s leagues.
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The cream of local soccer talent is set to return to restricted training with their clubs, ahead of the long-awaited resumption of play from the coronavirus suspension.
Football SA is seeking State Government approval to restart the Women’s National Premier Leagues SA next month and the men’s top flight in July.
As part of The Advertiser Support Our Clubs campaign, we present 10 exciting players to watch when the action reboots:
TETE YENGI (ADELAIDE COMETS)
The teenage attacker had emerged as one of the top flight’s breakout performers before the COVID-19 hiatus, scoring three goals in the opening four games for last season’s losing grand finalist. Yengi, the younger brother of Adelaide United A-League forward Kusini Yengi, is a born entertainer, combining mazy dribbling with lethal finishing as demonstrated in his matchwinning round-four brace against Adelaide City.
ALEX MULLEN (CAMPBELLTOWN CITY)
Among the competition’s most consistent players since returning to the local ranks from Sydney FC, Mullen is a standout even in a star-studded Red Devils side. The 27-year-old box-to-box midfielder, who excelled during five years in the US college system with Mars Hills University, will look to drive Campbelltown to a third-straight title when play resumes.
MARIA JOSE ROJAS (SALISBURY INTER)
The Chilean World Cup star became one of the women’s league’s highest-profile recruits, when she returned to SA on loan from Santiago Morning in her homeland. Diminutive veteran Rojas previously plundered 66 strikes in two seasons with Adelaide University and has already used her experience and Latin flair to guide Inter to the top of the table.
MOHAMED TOURE (ADELAIDE UNITED YOUTH)
What we see of him on suburban pitches for the remainder of this year depends on how highly the Reds’ incoming first team coach rates his prodigious talent. But a fortnight after Toure became the youngest goalscorer in A-League history, the now 16-year-old set the NPL alight with a stunning double for United’s youngsters against Modbury Jets, underlining his pace, power and predatory instincts.
DANIEL PRITCHARD (MODBURY JETS)
Tall, uncompromising and a weapon at both ends of the park, Pritchard is the rock top flight new boy Modbury has built its surprise early-season heroics upon. The ex-Adelaide United youth team defender won the Jets’ player of the year as they stormed to promotion last campaign and has helped them sit one point clear atop the standings, scoring a late winner to sink local rival Para Hills.
ELLA TONKIN (FOOTBALL SA NTC)
The 17-year-old defensive midfielder made headlines last year when she scored the fastest ever WNPL goal after eight seconds against Metro United. Tonkin’s outstanding form was rewarded with a W-League debut for Adelaide United over summer. The Year 12 St Dominic’s Priory College student, who has also shone as a No. 10, is now co-captain of the federation’s development squad.
YOHEI MATSUMOTO (ADELAIDE BLUE EAGLES)
His off-season move to the Marden outfit has been followed by a underwhelming run of results, as the 10-time champion sits winless and bottom. Japanese playmaker Matsumoto has however proven himself as one of the league’s brightest creative sparks, scoring 10 times and grabbing a bag of assists in Campbelltown’s march to last year’s title, as well as two strikes already for his new team.
NICK MUNRO (RAIDERS)
Widely regarded as the competition’s leading goalkeeper, Munro is a commanding presence between the posts who pairs excellent positional sense with the ability to produce vital saves at key moments. The dual-Croydon Kings title-winner is yet to taste silverware since his switch to Raiders and will be a key cog in the club’s bid to build on its stuttering start to the campaign.
DYLAN SMITH (METROSTARS)
The winger last season demonstrated the quality that landed him a lone A-League appearance with Adelaide United five years ago, grabbing nine goals for MetroStars following his arrival from Sturt Lions. Smith, 23, has kicked on this campaign with two more strikes and a string of eye-catching displays, raising hopes of another shot at professional football.
NICOLE TILLEY (WEST ADELAIDE)
She has endured mixed fortunes since registering 25 strikes to steer West to the minor premiership and claim the Shirley Brown Medal for the WNPL’s best player in 2017. Now former state junior Tilley is showing signs of a return to past glories, scoring a goal-a-game in pre-season, before a round-one brace fired her side to an 8-0 thumping of Fulham United.
Originally published as The 10 men’s and women’s players to watch as local soccer gets set to return from COVID-19 shutdown