The Young Socceroos come to town

Photos (Top to Bottom): Young Socceroos head coach Les Scheinflug, Jim Patikas, and assistant coach Raul Blanco arrive at the Domain Athletic Centre for training; Scheinflug puts the players through their paces; Rod Brown (standing) and a team-mate doing exercises; The Young Socceroos in training; Les Scheinflug addresses the squad; Raul Blanco warms up the three keepers;

In early 1983, the Australian Under-20 side came to Hobart for a training camp and a practice match against NSL side Heidelberg at KGV Park.

The game ended in a 0-0 draw but proved an exciting spectacle for the 2,500 people who attended.

The Young Socceroos head coach at the time was Les Scheinflug, an Australian international and undoubtedly the most successful coach Australia has ever had at Under-17 (Joeys) and Under-20 (Young Socceroos) levels.

His assistant was the incomparable Argentine, Raul Blanco, who is now technical director to the New Zealand national team.

The Young Socceroos trained at the Athletic Centre and found it most adequate for their needs.

Tasmania and Hobart Juventus’s own Luciano Fabrizio was a member of the Young Socceroos at the time and was delighted to be back in his home town.

Jim Patikas (Sydney Olympic), Frank Farina (Canberra Arrows), Rod Brown (Marconi) and Tony Franken (Australian Institute of Sport) were just some of the big names in the Young Socceroos squad.

Heidelberg was brimming with big names.

Goalkeeper Geoff Olver and defender Charlie Yankos were just two of the star-studded visiting line-up.

The Australian Youth Squad was: Goalkeepers - Chris Hummel (Canberra Arrows), Antony Franken (AIS), David Miller; Defenders - Tom McCulloch (Marconi), Ralph Maier (Newcastle), Tony Dakos (Sydney Olympic), Ray Vliestra (Wollongong), Roy Jones (AIS), Joe Rizzotto (Marconi), Paul Daley; Midfielders - Jim Patikas (Sydney Olympic), Fabio Incantalupo (Juventus), Russell Stewart (Brisbane Lions), Luciano Fabrizio (Brisbane City), Marcelo Salvo (AIS); Strikers - Frank Farina (Canberra Arrows), David Lowe (Newcastle), Rod Brown (Marconi), Danny Wright (Brisbane Lions), Steve Glockner (Brisbane City), Steve Maxwell (Adelaide City), Rene Licata (Marconi).

The Heidelberg-Alexander line-up for the game was: Olver - McKie, MacLeod, Yankos, Spanos - Selemidis, Valentine, Toro, Vincent - Patterson, Peterson (Substitutes: Campbell, Lea, Karamandos)

Patikas had a brilliant game and forced some outstanding saves from Australian international keeper Olver.