01-17-2007, 11:09 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia
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Rep Power: 2  | Rukavytsya enjoying his time; A-League
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Rukavytsya enjoying his time
Tuesday, 16 January, 2007 - 6:44PM
Justin Chadwick, Sportal
It has been a fast and unexpected rise to prominence for new Perth striker Nikita Rukavytsya, and the talented youngster is eager to make the most of every single second spent in the Hyundai A-League.
Rukavytsya, who was born and raised in Ukraine, arrived in Australia five years ago at 14 years of age, and instantly fell in love with Perth Glory.
A couple of months ago, Rukavytsya was invited to train with the club, and when midfielder Naum Sekulovski was placed on the long-term injury list due to a debilitating shoulder injury, the talented 19-year-old got his chance to play on the big stage.
"I always came to watch Glory and I thought 'yeah, I would really love to play one day for the Glory'," Rukavytsya reminisced of his first few years in Australia.
"I've been training at the Australian Institute of Sport (in Canberra) and just trying to get better every day and hopefully get there one day, but I never thought it (a chance to play in the A-League) would come this soon."
The speedy striker made his debut in the club's 2-2 draw with Melbourne in Round 19 and, after a nervous start, looked comfortable in his role up front.
Last week against Newcastle, Rukavytsya looked even more dangerous and came within a whisker of opening his A-League scoring account, only for his second-half header to drift agonisingly wide of the target in Perth's amazing 3-3 draw with the Jets.
"I was upset about that, I should have scored," he said of the missed chance.
Rukavytsya has been forced to the bench in both games for the Glory due to cramp, and said the A-League was 'a lot quicker and sharper' than that of the WA premier league, where he played for Perth SC.
However, Rukavytsya praised his Glory team-mates for making his transition to the Glory a lot smoother.
"They've been awesome. They've been helping me on the pitch and off the pitch. They're really great guys. All the boys have been nice to me," he said.
Rukavytsya plans to study sports development at TAFE this year, and said he was eager to earn a contract with the Glory next season.
"I'm just trying to do my best on the park and hopefully something will work out," he said.
| Credit - A-League.com.au |
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