The next time talented young soccer player Sofia Sakalis steps up to take a penalty in a high-pressure match, she’ll remember the words of friend and mentor Socceroo superstar Tim Cahill, who once told her to “just believe in yourself and pick a spot before you take it. And just stay with that, don’t change your mind. And drive it through …and remember too, the best of the best sometimes miss”.

The 13-year-old continues to learn from the best of this country’s football talent, by training weekly with the best women’s club team in the land – Melbourne City.

Melbourne City coach Joe Montemurro invited the young attacking midfielder to join his squad as a train-on player, and for the last four months she has trained weekly with the team, which has swept aside all opposition to win every game en route to the 2015-16 W-League premiership. The team finished on top by 10 points.

“Part of the program here at Melbourne City was to start programs of development and invite young potential players that could hopefully play W-League with us, and Sofia was identified as one of those,” coach Montemurro says.

Not only has the train-on immersed Sofia in a successful squad, it’s also given her the opportunity to train alongside and watch, first hand and up-close, some wonderful female talent.

Sofia told Neos Kosmos that prior to starting “I heard there was going to be international players, so I was really excited about that and I knew they would know a lot about the game, so I was excited to learn a lot off them”.

The squad includes Matildas such as defender Stephanie Catley, keeper Brianna Davey, Laura Alleway, Larissa Crummer and Lisa De Vanna. Then there’s the British internationals on loan to Melbourne City, including Scottish midfield pair Kim Little and Jen Beattie who between them have almost 200 international appearances for Scotland, as well as Welsh midfielder Jess Fishlock who has played 87 games for her country.

Sakalis says she tries to learn as much as she can from the girls, and that they’re very helpful and encouraging.

“Coach Joe Montemurro has given me this opportunity. His training is amazing. It’s intense and it develops you as a player,” she says.
Sofia’s parents believe the train-on experience is a great opportunity.

“I think her thing is she needs to be challenged … that’s why the Melbourne City (opportunity) is just great for a 13-year-old, honestly. I hope she gets as much out of it as she can,” says her mum, Stavroula Sakalis.

Sofia says the experience has already changed the way she plays, particularly from a tactical viewpoint.

“I didn’t have much knowledge about my positioning off the ball. So I think I learnt a lot from them, from that point of view of the game. Because on the ball, I think I know my way around, but off the ball, I think I need a bit more guidance. So I think I’ve learnt a lot from that.”

Sofia at training with Jess Fishlock , Welsh international player and amazing midfielder for Seattle Reign in the U.S.

Playing with international players at such a young age has re-affirmed her dream. “To represent my country in the World Cup, that would be my dream come true.”

Sofia says her family has helped her immensely by encouraging and supporting her at every step of the way. “My dad Stefano was my coach from U9s to U12s, and he’s pretty much been my mentor and coach for the whole time. So he’s pretty much brought me up with soccer.”

Other coaches who have helped her along the way have been her coaches on representative teams, including Team Vic coach Cameron Heath and Kickin Koalas’ coach Robbie Anderson, as well as her U12s coach at Box Hill United, James Muir, who is technical director at the NPL 2 club.

Being an attacking midfielder, it’s no surprise that her coaches describe her as a technically talented player. Muir says of her, “technically very good. Very good in one v ones. Likes to take players on, is quite creative as well. Likes to play killer passes and switch play as well which is excellent”.

Melbourne City coach Montemurro concurs, saying that “she solves some very good problems technically … and is very mature for her age in regards to her decision making”.

Both these coaches also point to her work ethic and dedication.

“She’s got a great work ethic and wants to learn. Likes to be challenged and always steps up to the challenge,” Montemurro says, while Muir adds: “She’s very dedicated. Spends a lot of time training. Never misses training.”

Those who know her best say she has a strong determination to improve and develop herself as a footballer.

“She’s the type you’ll find in the backyard, practicing, juggling the ball,” says mother Stavroula. “And she won’t come in unless she’s done this trick or she’s done this thing. You’ll say ‘come in Sofia’ and she’ll be doing sit ups. She’s a natural at that.She’s got a great determination. But she’s very humble.
That’s how she’s always been. She knows it’s her dream. We’re happy to drive her and take her but she’s steering the way.”

Dad Stefano also adds that she’s always looking to improve her game, often analysing her performances with him, and putting in time together outside training, to work on areas if required.

At 13 years of age, Sakalis still has some way to go before she realises her dream of playing for the Matildas at a World Cup, but her coaches certainly think she has the ability.

“As long as she maintains the passion for football and keeps the commitment she’s got, I think she’ll go far,” Muir says.

For Montemurro it’s about being patient and following certain developmental stepping-stones which mark out a player’s development from a junior to an international professional.

“There are certain stepping stones in the development of a player, more I think from a character and a humility point of view than trying to push the envelope and get there quicker. Because there are no shortcuts in football. So if she takes the right developmental steps and is challenged, and is up for the challenge, I think she will one day hopefully represent our country.”

With the W-League season fast coming to an end, Sakalis’s next step is to start pre-season with the FFV NTC Girls squad, a state program for the best players in the state. The squad will field teams in this season’s inaugural W-NPL competition.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Sofia’s football endeavour over the next season can obtain further details by contacting ssakalis@live.com.au