SYDNEY FC have moved quickly to thank the FFA for granting the release of Kofi Danning and Rhyan Grant for a match they view as crucial against Queensland Roar this weekend.
Australia Youth Olympics coach Paul Okon was unimpressed this morning when he discovered both players would not be part of his squad.
"I'm not going to get into a country v club row, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed," he said.
Okon said Grant would have been the skipper had he been made available.
The young duo played an integral part in helping Sydney to a 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix and they’re now free to make the trip to Brisbane this weekend as Sydney attempt to keep their slim finals hopes alive against Frank Farina's side.
Sydney CEO Stefan Kamasz said: “We’re extremely grateful to the FFA for releasing Rhyan and Kofi to take part in what is a crucial match for us in terms of our season.
"Both players are great future prospects and I’m sure we’ll see plenty of them, not only for Sydney FC but also in Australian colours in the years to come.”
Plenty of attention has been focused on 17-year old Danning since he scored the winner against Wellington on Sunday but the likeable teenager is determined to keep a level head.
He said: “It was amazing. To score the goal in your second game for Sydney FC is the best feeling.
"I’m just here to do my job, to try and improve my skills and become a better player. The more games I play the more experience I’ll get and the better player I’ll become.”
For Grant, it’s been an equally impressive rise, and while the Youth League defender will now have to wait a little longer to wear the Green and Gold, the past year has been one to savour.
The 17-year-old said: “I’ve come from living in Bathurst, back with my folks and then coming to NSWIS, AIS and now Sydney FC and that’s all been in the last year.
"At times I do have to pinch myself, it feels like a dream.”
While Danning and Grant will no longer be taking part, Sydney FC will still be represented at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.
Youth League player Steve Lustica and regular youth team replacement Kearyn Baccus have been selected in the squad for the tournament which will be played this week against teams from China, USA and Chile.
"I'm not going to get into a country v club row, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed," he said.
Okon said Grant would have been the skipper had he been made available.
The young duo played an integral part in helping Sydney to a 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix and they’re now free to make the trip to Brisbane this weekend as Sydney attempt to keep their slim finals hopes alive against Frank Farina's side.
Sydney CEO Stefan Kamasz said: “We’re extremely grateful to the FFA for releasing Rhyan and Kofi to take part in what is a crucial match for us in terms of our season.
"Both players are great future prospects and I’m sure we’ll see plenty of them, not only for Sydney FC but also in Australian colours in the years to come.”
Plenty of attention has been focused on 17-year old Danning since he scored the winner against Wellington on Sunday but the likeable teenager is determined to keep a level head.
He said: “It was amazing. To score the goal in your second game for Sydney FC is the best feeling.
"I’m just here to do my job, to try and improve my skills and become a better player. The more games I play the more experience I’ll get and the better player I’ll become.”
For Grant, it’s been an equally impressive rise, and while the Youth League defender will now have to wait a little longer to wear the Green and Gold, the past year has been one to savour.
The 17-year-old said: “I’ve come from living in Bathurst, back with my folks and then coming to NSWIS, AIS and now Sydney FC and that’s all been in the last year.
"At times I do have to pinch myself, it feels like a dream.”
While Danning and Grant will no longer be taking part, Sydney FC will still be represented at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.
Youth League player Steve Lustica and regular youth team replacement Kearyn Baccus have been selected in the squad for the tournament which will be played this week against teams from China, USA and Chile.
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