Gutbusting secret to Nicholas D’Agostino’s pace

Perth Glory striker Nicholas D’Agostino has revealed the secret behind his blistering pace

Nicholas D'Agostino says he blistering speed dates back to childhood sprint training

Perth Glory striker Nicholas D’Agostino has revealed the secret behind his blistering pace — years of gut-busting beach sprints under the guidance of his father.

D’Agostino has been in the form of his life over the past month, with brilliant individual goal for the Olyroos against Uzbekistan securing Australia an Olympic berth for the first time in 12 years.

The 21-year-old followed that up with a 90th-minute header in Glory’s 2-2 draw against Victory in round 17, and scored a brace in the 4-2 triumph over Wellington Phoenix last Friday.

His burst of speed has proven to be a major weapon for Perth and it all dates back to his childhood.

“My dad actually made us do beach training when I was about 10, 11 years old. We did it for more than five years,” D’Agostino said.

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“We used to start hip height in the water and go all the way up to the top of the sand dunes.

“Then we used to do short ones and then long-distance ones.

“It was a lot of sprints on the beach to build up those leg muscles. The burst of speed off the first five or 10m was the biggest thing.

“It’s nice to put that into play against the big boys now.”

D’Agostino’s purple patch has resulted in widespread praise. But the former Roar striker has vowed to stay humble — another trait he can thank his father for.

“He’s always instilled that in me, since I was about eight years old,” D’Agostino said. D’Agostino’s chemistry with Bruno Fornaroli and Joel Chianese is growing by the week and the trio loom as a key part of the club’s Asian Champions League campaign.

Glory will make their ACL debut next Tuesday when they take on FC Tokyo in Japan. Skipper Diego Castro, who has missed two matches because of a recent knock, may not play.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Newcastle Jets coach Carl Robinson believes fringe Socceroo Dimi Petratos can become an even better player under his guidance. Robinson watched from the stands at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday as Petratos scored twice in a 4-3 A-League win over local rivals Central Coast Mariners. The victory was the Jets’ first since November as they attempt to haul themselves up the ladder.

Robinson led his first training session with the Jets on Tuesday and made it clear he believes 27-year-old Petratos can become a star under his guidance.

“He needs to believe in himself, because he’s certainly got a coach that believes in him and wants to push him.”

AAP