3 Uruguayans in, Nelson Sale out for YHM
SOCCER
YoungHeart Manawatu's love affair with Solomon Island players looks
to have been traded for soccer-smart Uruguayans
Gone are star striker Benjamin Totori to Waitakere and Nelson Sale who has decided not to come back, while Alick Maemae still hasn't returned.
In their place come three Uruguayan professionals, defender Pablo Yackson who arrived earlier this week, striker Gonzalo Nieres, who is on his way, and Gustavo Sarelegui who played last season.
Yackson is eager to get onto the field and is focused on winning the national league and propelling himself into a European contract.
A professional with Montevideo club Cerro in the Uruguayan first division, Yackson believes he can get onto the big stage by helping Manawatu win the Oceania playoffs.
"My goal is to play in the English or Spanish premier leagues," he said through interpreter Paul Barris. "If I can help YoungHeart to the world club playoffs, that's where I can get noticed by those clubs."
After last Sunday's poor 6-0 loss to Waitakere, Manawatu coach Shane Rufer is sure to quickly enlist Yackson for tonight's warmup game with Wellington at FMG Stadium.
With Trent Watson at the back, Yackson will add another tall player to the heart of the defence. Nieres, a 27-year-old striker with skills reputedly as good as Benjamin Totori's, will arrive next week.
One thing you won't see Yackson, Nieres or Saralegui do is chase money by moving to other clubs.
"It has surprised me to see players head to other clubs for more money," Saralegui said. "Money comes and goes, respect you have to earn."
Saralegui also has designs on playing in Europe but he was handed a New Zealand visa last week, classifying him as a New Zealander for the national league.
"I like Palmerston North, though it's a bit quiet for me, but we're here to play soccer."
Club loyalty is something 22-year- old Yackson also believes strongly in. . He has played for Cerro his entire career, rising through the ranks. Yackson has also been a member of the Uruguay under-20 squad.
"In Uruguay you would never think of speaking to another club without getting the club president's blessing first. It's a respect thing."
There might be a competition between Watson and Yackson to see who goes forward for set pieces, although Yackson admits his strength is on the ground. He began playing soccer as a striker.
"We all like to score goals and I like to bring the ball forward. But I'll do whatever the boss wants. My job will be to stop opponents from scoring."
Saralegui admitted Manawatu fans didn't see the best of him last year but he'll be a different player in his true position this season.
"I'm not a striker who stands up front and waits for the ball to
come to him. I like to be the link between the midfield and the
strikers; the one who feeds the ball forward. With the Fijian
(striker coming) and Gonzalo, we're going to be even better than
last season."
Disappointed about Sale not coming back, but these guys seem pretty promising to me. Will have to wait till the season starts for final verdict though.
and how can you be so sure it'll be a TW win!
TW - (back to front) Imray, Chote,Farrington, Walter (dutch fella -curently training with TW), Gulley, Woodamoo Patrick, Barron, Cheriton,Brown, Corrales, Ellonsohn.
