Image: M&A Sports Photography
Moreland Zebras coach Fausto de Amicis has sung the praises of new recruit Amir Osmancevic after the striker produced a late goal to defeat Springvale White Eagles on Saturday.
The decisive goal to hand Springvale its first defeat of the season was Osmancevic’s fourth in as many games and de Amicis has high hopes for the 21-year-old.
“He’s an amazing kid. I’m blessed to have someone like him in the team,” de Amicis said.
“Amir is an exceptional talent and I’m very glad that he’s here with us but in the future you never know, he might be able to move up to a higher level.”
Osmancevic made the move to Moreland in the off-season after impressive stints last season at Dandenong Thunder and Dandenong City respectively and has quickly adapted to his new surroundings.
“I know he’s enjoying it it and to have someone of that calibre that can play multiple positions up front is an excellent asset and the boys love him.”
“In front of goals, in front of that area, he has license to create or finalise and today it came at a great time, five minutes before the end.”
The Zebras’ attacking third consists of three new faces this season as winger Rex Watkins has joined from Bulleen Lions while Nick Niagioran joined from Richmond. De Amicis has experience with both players, having coached Watkins at U20s level at Bulleen and spending time with Niagioran at Richmond last year where he was an assistant coach to Rick Mensink.
“The new faces I know them very well… and what was important for us was the faces that we brought in, the personalities that we brought in had to fit in the dressing room, really get along well with the rest and understand the philosophy that we had,” he said.
“I’ve always believed in Rex, as a young boy I had him at U20s and he’s been developed well and to have him with me now this year… just blessed to have kids like that who are willing to put the team before anyone else.”
“Nick up front, he’s coming back and he’s still got to find his game. He’s a tremendous powerhouse, he sometimes gets a little bit frustrated because he feels that as a striker he needs to be scoring goals but I’ve said to him ‘that’s not all you need to do, there’s more for you and what you’re creating is space for others.'”
After five games, Moreland sits second on the NPL2 West table having won three games and drawn two. Promotion will once again be the aim for Zebras this year having been in the hunt in previous seasons but Northcote City will take some chasing as they are yet to drop points.
“By all means you think about promotion, you think how lovely would it be to be back up there. I know this club, I’ve known it since 1978 as a junior growing with this club so, do they belong up the top? We can say yes but other teams can say the same.”
“We talk about moving forward game by game with the focus of what the end result will be and our focus is we do want to be champions, we do want to get promoted but there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Moreland’s next fixture is is two weeks’ time when it takes on Brunswick City at CB Smith Reserve.