MILDURA United’s team of predominantly students and recent school-leavers is aiming to earn respect in S-League senior men’s soccer, but coach Jon Koultis says they will have to learn to withstand setbacks.
United, who returned to senior men’s S-League in 2022 after missing the last two seasons, face reigning premiers Mildura City this Sunday. City have started the season dominant in front of goal, kicking 14 goals in two matches.
Koultis said United’s team of mostly 14 to 20-year-olds had developed “confidence” playing in Football Federation Sunraysia’s (FFS) Reserves competition in 2021, and showed promise when they won FFS’s Summer-Sevens earlier this year.
However, United have lost their opening two matches and Koultis said the team faced stern test against City’s “lethal forwards” on Sunday at the Old Aerodrome Oval.
“If we give them time and space, they will exploit that,” Koultis said.
“One thing we really stress a lot is just concentrate on the things that you have control of. How much effort you put in; how much you motivate yourself – you can’t control what other people do.
“We know there’s going to be long days … but as long as we believe in what we’re doing … it’s going to pay off.”
United may be able to take heart from holding their opponents scoreless in two out of four halves and conceding only one goal last Sunday.
Koultis said made special mention of defensive midfielder Alicena Zahidi for his role in controlling United’s play on both sides of the ball.
“He’s started to really control games from that area of the field … with his movement off the ball, with his positioning, with his tackling and reading of the game. It has really developed,” Koultis said.
Overall, Koultis acknowledged that United would have to overcome limitations that came with being a younger side, namely improving their decision making, and proving they were dedicated to the sport.
“There’s this expectation that some of our players are immature, but I’ll be really happy to prove that expectation wrong,” Koultis said.
“We want everyone to enjoy themselves, but we want them to work hard for that.
“I’ll be proud if at the end of the season, other clubs look at our group of players and have a lot more respect for them.”
Mildura United v Mildura City kicks off at 3.20pm.
