Sydney FC academy product Tiago Quintal has enjoyed a breakout senior campaign with his boyhood club, scoring five goals from midfield while playing in all bar two matches, and now finds himself just a game away from a Grand Final.

Starting regularly in midfield just forward of Paul Okon-Engstler, and more recently also Wataru Kamijo, the trio form a youthful midfield that had the legs to more than match Newcastle in their up-and-back semi-final first leg last Saturday, which finished locked at 1-1.

They now head north to the Hunter tomorrow for the second leg looking to cause a boilover against the Premiership-winning Jets. The away trip should hold no fears, just a fortnight on from their upset 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory at Aami Park.

‘I think it’s pretty special to be playing at the biggest club in Australia while being so young, and with a lot of young players around you,’ Quintal told Box2Box.

‘We’ve got good, experienced players around us that have really helped us settle, and also a coach who obviously trusts and supports us to go out there and perform on the pitch, as well. It’s a dream come true; there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing, and especially to be doing it at my boyhood club.’

Patrick Kisnorbo has been Sydney FC manager for just five games, and as an interim is no guarantee to be there beyond this week. With his feet barely under the desk and a Championship on the line, he could be forgiven deferring to dependable senior players; that he’s successfully backed the kids is testament to all parties.

Predecessor Ufuk Talay’s reign promised plenty but never truly ironed out the inconsistencies that dogged it for its entirety; in sharp (although admittedly short) contrast, Kisnorbo’s side are unbeaten in five and now shape as a genuine Championship threat.

‘I think he’s just made it really clear what he wants. The way he’s got us playing, we play a good brand of football while defensively, we’re very solid as well,’ Quintal said of Kisnorbo.

‘Everyone knows what to do, everyone’s on the same page, and we work together well as a group. He’s got us focussed and hardworking, and it’s working really well.

Quintal will soon have a chance to watch the World Cup – where his Portuguese heritage wins out over his Italian side even when Italy qualify, ‘because of Cristiano Ronaldo, my favourite player’ – and take stock of what has been an enormous eighteen months.

Part of both the victorious U20 Asian Cup side in January 2025 and U20 World Cup squad last September, the 19-year old is firmly part of what looks an extremely exciting group for Australian football.

‘The [Asian Cup], that achievement is probably the best of my career so far and definitely something that will live with me forever. Also being able to go to the World Cup, it was so special to be able to play teams like Italy, Argentina.

‘Naturally, the group was so talented… but I think winning the Asian Cup and having that success definitely gives you a bit of confidence when going back [to club football]. It’s good to see them all doing well now, and I’m sure they’ll keep going.’