Sydney FC defender Shannon Cole has endorsed the NSW Premier League as a great stepping stone for players aiming to get to the A-League.
The former Sydney Olympic player joined Sydney FC on the back of an impressive season in the NSW Premier League three years ago.

He says he is confident players can continue to come through the competition.

`` I don’t think it makes much of a difference between the leagues,’’ Cole said.

``I mean Hirofumi (Moriyasu) came from Apia last season and he has played most of our games and fit in really well.

``I felt the standard was good before (I left) and there a lot of the same faces in the teams mixed with some new guys coming through.

``I think there will always be good players at this level in a very competitive league.’’

Sydney FC played out a 1-1 draw against the Rockdale City Suns in a friendly last night with Cole playing the entire second half.

Despite conceding a goal at the death Cole is excited about next Wednesday’s Asian Champions League match up against Shanghai Shenhua at the Sydney Football Stadium.

``It was a good game against Rockdale despite the surface not being great but it was the same for both sides,’’ he said.

``I think there were a few too many turnovers throughout the game which is something to work on but considering the conditions it wasn’t a bad hit out physically too.

``The boys are very hungry to get back into the champions league.

``We had a very good result in our first game and we got to go out now and really take it to Shanghai.’’

-By Chris Georges

The NSWPL standards r good, A-league is only faster, but technically, it's not different at all

Not if your judging on Hiro..... 2 more years fmd

He's not that bad. He's got a ripper shot on him. If he gets a few of those shots on target he'll score a few more.