Matt Osman
SELECTED as a defender in the Young Socceroos, Matt Osman is yet to play that role in the
NSL with Northern Spirit.
The former Westfields Sports High School student was featured on our Golden Goal
Page last month after making a winning NSL debut for Northern Spirit in their opening match of the season.
Now Osman, nicknamed "Ozzie", has been selected in Australia's under 20's for the Oceania World
Youth Championship qualifers next month.
The 19-year-old has benefited from national youth coach Ange Postecoglou's policy of preferring
youngsters playing in the NSl over those based overseas not playing regular first-yeam football.
Spirit coach Laerie McKinna explained that in a recent discussion with Postecoglou about his club
's young players, he pointed out that Osman was actually a defender even though he (McKinna) had
been playing him in central midfield or as a wing-back on either flank.
Osman played as a defender in Spirit's youth team but, after becoming an apprentice with the
first-team squad this season, quickly impressed his new coach with his utility value.
In fact, McKinna revealed: "I've not seen him play at the back".
Osman, who never made state teams as a junior, was named in the Australian Schoolboys select
team last year, but the side never came together for any games.
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