Pair nets soccer goal

By Paul Pickering
DANDENONG schoolboys Enes Ozyurek and Alpay Suat share much more than a flair for the world game.
The 11-year-olds are classmates at Keysborough’s Mt Hira College, clubmates at Springvale White Eagles, and now teammates in the Victorian division of the Australian Football Skool (AFS).
They’re also good mates, who spend their lunchtimes dreaming of playing club football together at Manchester United or Galatasaray.
Both youngsters represented the Monash region at last month’s AFS Victorian championships in Shepparton and each played a starring role to secure selection in the state’s elite junior academy.
The Monash group was separated into Gold and Blue teams for the under-12 tournament, with Enes’ Monash Gold claiming a silver medal after going down to the Peninsula region 1-0 in the final.
Alpay’s Monash Blue team collected bronze, while both boys earned representative medals after being handpicked for the Victorian academy squad.
Monash region coach Steven Pinter was impressed by the contributions of Enes and Alpay in Shepparton, but he certainly wasn’t surprised.
Pinter, who also coaches them – and six other academy stars – at the White Eagles, believes the determined youngsters have a bright future in the game.
“They’re both very hard-working kids,” he said.
“Alpay is a very strong player in the midfield. He’s quick, skilful and a very coachable kid.
“Enes is also very skilful and he will never give up. Sometimes he goes too hard and hurts himself, but he always carries on.”
Alpay, who lives in Hallam, is well aware of what it takes to play high-level football.
He’s heard the stories from his 19-year-old brother Koray, who has tried out with Scottish Premier League giant Celtic and now plays for Knox City in State League Division Two.
Alpay and Enes both have family in Turkey, so they’ve grown up dreaming of representing either Turkey or Australia one day – whichever country picks them first.
They keep a keen eye on the big European clubs, but have also taken to Victoria’s new football powerhouse.
“Hopefully I can play for Melbourne Victory one day,” Enes said on Monday, still buzzing from attending the A-League grand final on Saturday night.
“My favourite players are (Archie) Thompson and Kevin Muscat.”
Pinter says the AFS Victorian academy will give the boys every chance to achieve higher honours.
As they progress through the program, Enes and Alpay will have the opportunity to travel interstate and overseas to play against other talented juniors.