Lokolingoy hoping for more goals in ‘Sydney Derby’
Sydney FC striker Charles Lokolingoy knows his way to goal.
The pacy striker took out the PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Mens’s Golden Boot award after scoring 25 goals in the regular season.
Come Saturday’s Grand Final against the Western Sydney Wanderers, it will be Lokolingoy who Sydney will look for in search of a match winner.
Despite performing well for Sydney FC in their National Youth League title win earlier this year, Lokolingoy didn’t hit the peak of his powers until mid-way through the PS4 NPL 2 season.
“I was expecting a couple of goals, maybe eight or nine, but getting 25 was incredible. I’m really happy with it,” he said.
“I’m pretty pleased, I couldn’t ask for a better season, this is probably one of my best seasons since the under 16’s when I scored five goals. This is up there especially because it’s men’s football.
“The coaches had set up [a target of] maybe 20 to get for all the strikers so to score 25 and take out the golden boot award was an incredible achievement.
“I just want to keep playing well, most of the boys have been here for ages and we know each other well. We’re just hoping to keep building and all the boys are fighting hard to win on Saturday.”
Lokolingoy said the transition from youth to senior competition was very noticeable.
“It’s quite different [playing in the PS4 NPL 2],” he said.
“It’s a different style of play in both leagues, it’s more physical in the PS4 NPL 2, a lot tougher, while the NYL was more tactical.
“I’m coping with the NPL pretty good [though]. Playing with Sutherland Sharks’ first grade before has given me a lot of experience playing in men’s football and I’m coping with it.
The striker is confident his team will be celebrating come full time on Saturday and expects to find himself on the scorer’s sheet once again.
“We’ve played some really good games against the Wanderers this season and everyone is excited to play them in the Grand Final,” Lokolingoy said.
“I think I will be able to make an impact on the game, especially with the boys around me, the midfielders and wingers are all making my job easier assisting me, and I feel in good form.
“I think the team spirit and the boys really stepping up will help us get over the line.”
1st Grade – Sydney FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers Saturday 2pm Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt
U20 kick off at 11:30am
U18 kick off at 9am
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