Brotherly love between two Inter Cubs

The truth is that it is a partnership that has been brewing for over twenty years, mainly at home in the backyard, as brothers Domenic and Jacob Di Mento combine to harass opposition defences.
The brothers played against one another last season, but have teamed up this year to great effect, working together to help drive Inter Lions? assault on Division One.
I asked the boys a series of interesting questions, including biggest influences on their careers, whether they have any superstitions, and any embarrassing moments during their careers thus far.
Okay, Domenic and Jacob, let?s get some of the formalities out of the way ?
Full Name, Date & Place of Birth ?
Domenic Di Mento, 9-10-1986, Sydney
Giacomo Di Mento, 17-12-1987, Sydney
Previous Clubs ?
Domenic ? APIA Leichhardt, Canterbury Marrickville, Sydney Olympic, Hurstville Minotaurs
Jacob ? APIA Leichhardt
Favourite Position ?
Domenic ? Left or Right Wing
Jacob ? Centre Midfield
Favourite Local Player ?
Domenic ? has to be my brother, hands down!
Jacob ? my brother!
Favourite Overseas Player ?
Domenic ? Roberto Baggio
Jacob ? Diego Armando Maradona
Favourite Overseas Team ?
Domenic ? Inter Milan and Liverpool
Jacob ? Inter Milan and Liverpool
Career Highlights ?
Domenic ? winning the Division One, 1st Grade, Premiership with Canterbery Marrickville two years ago, representing NSW Schoolboys, respresenting Mackillop NSW Schoolboys
Jacob ? captain of winning premiership team for Inter Lions, Under 20’s, in 2007. Representing NSW in Futsal, and winning the national championships at youth level.
Best Goal Scored and How ?
Domenic ? playing for Canterbury Marrickville against Hurstville Zagreb, I received the ball from the left flank, beat 2 players down the line, skipped past one more defender just on the outside of the box, and cracked it straight into the top left corner of the goal.
Jacob ? my best goal I would have to say was a few years ago against Mounties. I took on two players after receiving the ball from a throw in near half way, and I hit a bomb from about 5 metres outside the box?the ball hit the cross-bar and bounced down in the goal a few times.
Biggest Influence on your career?
Domenic – my biggest influence would have to be my mum and dad. They love coming to watch me and Jacob play every week. My brother is also a big influence because he is always positive.
Jacob ? my parents, my brother, my cousin dom.
Most Embarrassing Moment ?
Domenic ? being sent off against Mount Druitt for stupidity and letting my team down.
Jacob ? every time I get sent off……
Any Pre-Match Superstition ?
Domenic ? doing the sign of the cross with my Mary medallion that I always have with me each game. Also the sign of the cross when stepping on the field for each match.
Jacob ? the sign of the cross before I go on the field. Also, I roll my ankles, knees, and hips four times around each.
Pre-Match Meal ?
Domenic ? definitely my Grandmother?s pasta
Jacob ? pasta, pizza
What is it like in your house during the week leading up to a game ? who is the most nervous ? you or your brother?
Domenic ? it?s pretty normal in the house during the week leading up to the game, we talk about who we?re playing, and how we played during the previous game. I don?t think either of us get nervous anymore, but if I would have to choose, I would say Jacob.
Jacob ? neither one of us really gets nervous anymore. Maybe when we were younger, I would, but not anymore.
What are your parents like leading up to, and during, a game?           
Domenic – my parents are always positive during the week, and you can tell that they can?t wait to watch us play every week, especially my mum. I can almost hear every word she is saying from up in the stands! As for my dad, he usually never misses a game, and loves watching me and Jacob. He has made us the players we are today.
Jacob ? they try to tell me not to go out the night before a game, and are pretty positive towards the game most of the time.
Last season you actually played against each other – what was the most difficult thing about facing your brother?
Domenic ? the most difficult thing about facing Jacob is that he is a very skilful and aggressive player. He has a never say die attitude, and will come at you with everything he has. When we played against each other last year, he was playing on the opposite side of the field. He was lucky in that game, because if he was coming 100 miles an hour at me, I?d put him back in his place?
Jacob ? he is faster than me, and actually faster than most other players I know. So every time we played against each other, I would make sure that I would be on the opposite side, so I wouldn?t have to hurt him! Also, I would shit stir him that he?d be losing to his younger brother!
What is the best thing about having your brother in the same team as you?   
Domenic ? the best thing about having my brother in the same team as me is that we can read each other so easily. I know what he is going to do when he gets the ball, and he knows exactly how I play. That’s why he has set up most of my goals this season!
Jacob ? when we play on the same side as each other, we read each other very well. That?s why I have managed to set up a few of his goals?
What happens if someone from the opposing team gives your brother a bit of stick ? do you let him fend for himself, or does it get you fired up and want to defend him?
Domenic ? I get fired up… I?m the first one there to stop the guy… in a legal way of course…
Jacob ? I get fired up and get up in the bloke?s face, even though I know he can defend himself.
What?s the best thing you like about your brother, both personally, and as a footballer?
Domenic ? personally, the best thing about my brother is that he has a good heart. He is always trying to help others. As a footballer, I think his skill is unbelievable, his vision is near perfect, and he is very aggressive. You won?t want to come up against him in a 50/50 challenge.
Jacob ? personally, I like how he defends me, and as a footballer, it would have to be how fast he is, and his ability to score goals.
The Di Mento brothers are blazing a trail for themselves in the football world, and given their mutual understanding on the football pitch, it can only spell disaster for teams in the Division One semi final series in 2009..?you have been warned!
-By Frank Speranza