Jets midfielder Matthew Ridenton has always had an interest in the German Bundesliga. More so now.
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Like the rest of the A-League, Ridenton has marvelled at the progress at Bayern Munich of Kiwi wonder boy Sarpreet Singh, a former teammate at Wellington Phoenix.
After a breakthrough A-League season, Singh signed with Bayern Munich reserves on July 1.
On Saturday, the 20-year-old playmaker sat on the bench in Bayern Munich's 2-all draw with Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga season-opener.
Earlier this month, Singh played in friendlies against Arsenal, Real Madrid and AC Milan before starting and playing 90 minutes in a loss on penalties to Tottenham Hotspur in the Audi Cup final.
His teammates include superstars Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and the recently-arrived Phillipe Coutinho.
"He is a great lad. I have spoken to him after his games over there," said Ridenton, who spent three years in Wellington alongside Singh and plays in the national team with him. "It shows what you can do if you have a great season in the A-League. He had his chance and did amazing in the pre-season over there. It's great to see someone you have trained with week-in, week-out, has gone on to play at that level.
"To go from the Phoenix to Bayern Munich's first team is something that probably won't happen very often in football, but it is an amazing story. It shows that if you keep working hard and show what you can do, there is always someone watching in football. It is great motivation for Kiwi boys."
Ridenton is in his own battle for a place in the Jets midfield.
The 23-year-old, who has five caps for the All Whites, started in 14 games last season and again faces competition from Steve Ugarkovic and Ben Kantarovski.
"I came here to challenge myself," Ridenton said. "I knew we had Kanta, I knew we had Steve, and Angus Thurgate coming through is a great young player. It is something that pushes you every day at training. We have a good group of midfielders who push each other."
Ridenton and Ugarkovic anchored the midfield in the 5-1 win over Edgeworth in the FFA Cup on Wednesday night.
Kantarovski resumed full training on Monday after a groin niggle and is expected to be fit for the Surf City Cup and battles against the Brisbane Roar (September 1) and Perth Glory (September 3) on the Gold Coast.
"Steve and I played a bit more defensive, allowing Hoffy and Matt Millar to bomb up the wings, which helped us create chances against Edgeworth," Ridenton said. "Growing up, I was always a No.8 or No.10, more of an attacker. Playing No.6 is a position I can play - being more of a ball winner, then release it to the guys up front, Dimi and now Wes, in those pockets. They are great creative players. That is part of having a good squad. A lot of boys remain from last season so we know that we need to keep pushing each other."