Two miss training session with Tasmanian under-21s
Under-21squad trains at KGV Park
By Walter Pless
The 24-man Tasmanian under-21 squad which will play four A-League youth sides in the coming month went through a rigorous training session at KGV Park on Saturday.
The first game is next Friday against Sydney FC’s youth side at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The squad members will be rotated for each of the games against Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory, Queensland Roar and Adelaide United.
Keeper Nathan Pitchford is put through his paces by coach Eamonn Kelly
Tasmanian coach, Eamonn Kelly, was happy with the training session and will announce the squad of 15 for the Sydney trip after another training session on Sunday.
“The emphasis on training is to keep our physicality because we’ll need to be physical against the opponents we’ll encounter in our four games,” said Kelly.
“We need to keep our fitness up and all of next week it’ll be ball-at-feet type of training.
“We’ll also work on set-pieces such as corners and free-kicks and throw-ins.
“We’ve got a team structure on how we want to play.”
Michael Edwards supervising the squad
Devonport City’s Sean Howe and Scott Wilson were absent yesterday as the club is competing in a tournament in Melbourne.
Kelly’s assistant, Tom McGinn, who coaches Devonport, was also in Melbourne, but Michael Edwards supervised yesterday’s fitness work.
Sprint training dictated by Michael Edwards
“The training has been pretty intense and short and sharp,” said 23-year-old midfielder Jonathon Ladic, one of three over-age players included in the squad.
“We’ve got a young side and everyone is keenly looking forward to the match.”