Soccer: Youth league means it's all on for young and old: coach

The revitalised National Youth League has brought an added dimension to the domestic soccer season with several players being given their chance to shine.

While some clubs have been hesitant in giving younger players much game time in the New Zealand Football Championship, others have seen it as a way of promoting from within.

Look for more of the same this weekend, with some Waitakere United players involved in today's Lion Foundation Youth League game against Waikato FC likely to be on the bench when the senior side meets Otago United tomorrow.

Waitakere United player/coach Neil Emblen is fully in favour of turning to his youngsters. In line with his club's policy of ensuring they are competitive in what has quickly become a worthwhile competition, Emblen does not hesitate in turning to his youth squad in naming bench-players for NZFC games.

It is this policy which led the club's push to play the youth league apart from the NZFC even when both teams are scheduled to play at home in the same weekend.

"All along we wanted to keep it separate so we could make best use of the youngsters," said Emblen.

"Where we can, we play the youth team on the Saturday and the NZFC game on the Sunday. By doing that we can give the younger players a full game one day and have them on the bench the next.

"I have been most impressed with what the youth team players have shown. Players like Ryan de Vries, Dakota Lucas (who has appeared in eight of 10 NZFC games), Zane Sole (in five), Jason Hicks, Luke Adams and Tom Edwards have all been given a taste of NZFC football. That can only be good moving forward."

On the other hand, Auckland City have stuck with their more proven performers.

Depending on results in the next week or so, Emblen - once he is convinced the title is out of reach - is likely to give even more time to his younger players as he looks towards next season.

The Auckland teams should win their four youth and NZFC games this weekend although City will be a little wary of Waikato FC, hoping for a late change in fortune after winning their last two games.

Waitakere got away from Dunedin with a scratchy 2-1 win earlier in the season but, back to full strength, should claim the points more comfortably against third-placed Otago.

HOW THEY LINE UP

National Youth League

* Waitakere United v Waikato FC
Fred Taylor Park, 2pm today
* Auckland City v Hawkes Bay
Kiwitea St, 2pm tomorrow

NZ Football Championship

* Waitakere United v Otago United
Fred Taylor Park, 2pm tomorrow
* Waikato FC v Auckland City
Centennial Park, 2pm tomorrow