THE young man from Bangor, Christopher Naumoff, is poised to play in front of a global television audience of hundreds of millions of people when he soon lines up for A-League club Sydney FC against British Premier League heavyweights Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at ANZ Stadium (Homebush) on May 30 and June 2.
Naumoff is in his second season with Sydney FC, who have reached the finals of the 2015 A-League competition, and is also an Australian Olyroos under-23s player.
At only 19 he is rated one of the best young talents in the game.
The attacking midfielder grew up playing with Menai Hawks and was a fixture in SSFA representative teams then made his way through to first grade with the Sutherland Sharks FC at just 17.
"It is a great opportunity, to play against Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur," Naumoff told the Leader.
"It is every player's dream to play in these [showcase] games.
"One of of my ambitions would be to one day play overseas."
But the humble teenager isn't getting too far ahead of himself.
Before the special games, Sydney FC play Adelaide United at 7.30pm at Allianz Stadium this Saturday in a semi-final for the right to play in the A-League grand final.
"It's a knockout," Naumoff said.
The winner makes the grand final, the loser is eliminated.
Naumoff said the experience and insight he had learned in such a short space of time had been educational at Sydney FC.
"Coach Graham Arnold is a very good coach and teacher," Naumoff said. "He coaches you as a footballer and as a person."
Arnold too has strong Sutherland Shire Football Association links, having played with Gwawley Bay Football Club as a junior.
Naumoff said the SSFA was a great nursery for young footballers.
