Alfei Talks About 'Perfect' Debut In FA Cup

Daniel Alfei spoke about his 'perfect' debut as he was named man of the match in Saturday's 4-0 FA Cup win against Colchester United.

The 18 year-old replaced Angel Rangel at right back to make his first ever senior appearance for his hometown club, and he looked like he had been playing senior football for years.

He slotted in amongst the back four impressively, and he certainly looks like another big prospect for us in the next few years as he continues to develop and improve.

Some fans have criticised the sponsor's man of the match choice in previous games, but they simply couldn't about Saturday's best player vote. It wasn't just a confidence-booster for the young debutant either, as he was cool and calm whenever called upon and barely put a foot wrong throughout the 90 minutes.

Alfei told Wales Online:

"It was perfect. I could not have imagined it would have gone as well as it did,"

"I`ve been dreaming of a day like that since I was young. It`s any boy`s dream to play for their local side and I was just so happy to have the chance to do it.

"I`ve grown up watching the Swans from when I was a kid, my parents took me down and I`ve always supported them. It`s a great stadium, big crowds and a wonderful place to play football."

Alfei also said that he didn't know until late on that he was playing when Angel Rangel failed a late fitness test:

"I`m just happy to be given the chance to play.

"He (Rodgers) told me the day before there was a possibility but he wasn`t sure, then, when Angel failed a fitness test, I knew I was playing.

"It helped a little bit not knowing until the last minute, but I still felt the nerves when I knew I was going to be playing.

"Your first touch is your most important in the game and from there you gradually build yourself into it and get a chance to express yourself.

"The main thing was that we won the game and, as it went on, I got a bit more relaxed and a bit more time on the ball.

"I`ve been training with the first team since the start of the season and they are quality players, I`m learning stuff off the other guys and the manager every day.

"It`s helped me a lot to make sure I could play in a first-team game."

He's now hoping the performance can earn himself more opportunities to impress Brendan Rodgers:

"I hope I`ve given myself a better chance of being involved more, but time will tell and I`ll just have to wait and see.

"To be fair, the club`s given lots of young players a chance. You have to just try and take it and hope it can set you up for future games.

"If you make your mark it`s up to him about whether he wants to include you or not.

"You just want to give the most you can when you are given the opportunity.

"I`m looking to push on and try and impress in training."

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