GOLD Coast United Youth have been crowned champions of the National Youth League for the second consecutive year after overcoming the AIS 2-1 at Owen Park on Saturday afternoon.
The win means Gold Coast's lead at the top of the table is now unassailable, securing back-to-back titles for United's youngsters after another highly impressive season.
Gold Coast Youth team coach Mike Mulvey said he was proud of his young troops for the manner in which they had equipped themselves throughout the season, playing football befitting of champions.
"It's very satisfying from a personal perspective because these lads are very coachable and all season long they have played the game the way it should be played," Mulvey said.
"We've won this championship by playing good football on a consistent basis and at times we've played champagne football.
"There's a lot of self belief in this group of players and they wanted to win this championship, as well as winning back-to-back championships. They did it in style today against a very good AIS side who make up the bulk of our under 17 national team.
"Our players have showed great maturity and if they continue to learn and work hard they can make the next step, which is great for Gold Coast United and shows that we are doing plenty of things right with our young players.
"We did more than enough to win today and these players deserve to be champions of the National Youth League," he said.
Despite the sweltering conditions, the home side made their intentions clear from the start when Mitch Cooper poked a shot narrowly wide in the opening 10 minutes.
Cooper perhaps should have done better with his chance, but just 60 seconds later Andrew Barisic stole in behind the AIS defence to fire Gold Coast into a deserved lead.
Cooper was running riot and went close again with a spectacular volley that only just cleared the crossbar. Soon after, the lively 16-year-old showed more sublime skill to fox his marker, only to fire his shot well over.
United were dominating and the only surprise was that they took until the 38th minute to double their lead.
However, it was a goal worth waiting for with Ben Halloran's trickery releasing Steve Lustica on the edge of the box.
Lustica's quick feet made space for the shot and the Gold Coast skipper side-footed confidently past Paul Izzo in the visitors' goal.
The hot conditions took its toll on both sides in the second period with Halloran going closest for Gold Coast, forcing Izzo into a flying save in the 70th minute.
Jesse Makarounas notched a late consolation goal for the resolute AIS side right at the death, but when the final whistle blew Gold Coast were crowned as champions again, doing it in style with two games to spare.
Gold Coast's youngsters will be presented with their trophy before Sunday's Hyundai A-League knockout semi-final between Gold Coast United and Melbourne Victory at Skilled Park.
GOLD COAST UNITED YOUTH 2 (Barisic 11', Lustica 38')
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT 1 (Makarounas 90+3')
HT: 2-0
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