Justin Poon – A Career on the Rise
19-year-old St George FC right winger Justin Poon played arguably the most important game of his short career last night.
Under the watchful eyes of National and A League team coaches the speedy Poon was invited to play in a FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) match at Valentine Sports Park, the home of Football NSW.
The match was between two teams featuring Academy players born between 2005 and 2007.
He was happy with his performance.
“It went well; it was a great experience.”
‘I was pleased given it was my first time at this level” he added.
Well educated and articulate, the now third year student studying Commerce at the University of NSW is adopting a step-by-step approach with both his career and football.
Ideally, he wants to play in the A League which now appears likely given his display last night in front of the “decision makers”.
FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) matches in Australia are a joint initiative between FIFA and Football Australia, aimed at identifying and developing talented young players.
It aims to ensure every talented player has a chance to be identified and developed with a focus on national team pathways.
Scouted and identified players like Justin Poon were invited to play last night.
He clearly is on the “radar” of those who matter most in football.
Having become a regular starter despite his young age, Justin Poon is growing and developing in 2025.
His club coach Fabien Miceli believes he will be picked up by an A League team sooner rather than later.
Turning twenty next month, Justin Poon recently played his 50 th First Grade game against West Sydney Wanderers.
He doesn’t score a lot of goals- 5 (2023 and 2024 seasons) and 3 so far, in 2025.
However, when he does score, they are important goals, they matter.
Just like in 2023 when two exceptionally crucial goals he scored in vital matches to help the club earn promotion from NPL 2 to NPL 1.
Working in retail while studying, Justin Poon put himself in the football shop window last night, now it’s a matter of who will be buying him.
