Brian Barry-Murphy says his youngsters will be given another chance to impress in the next round of the EFL Trophy after Cardiff City beat Arsenal Under-21s.
The Bluebirds deservedly overcame Arsenal's development side in the final group stage match on Tuesday.
Victory meant Cardiff topped the group and secured a place in the round of 32, with the draw to be made on Thursday (14:30 GMT).
Cardiff boss Barry-Murphy named a team packed with academy players, with Gabriel Keita, Alyas Debono, Matty Apter, Trey George and Dan Ola making debuts from the start.
Three further debuts followed in the second half, for Jake Davies, Harry Watts and Jack Sykes, capping a proud night for the club's youth set-up.
"I'm really pleased for the players. It was a very big occasion for them as you can imagine so many players making their debut together," Barry-Murphy said.
"To perform in the manner they did and win the game and put us through to the next round makes it an incredibly satisfying evening for us all."
Barry-Murphy praised the youngsters' attitude, as well as the work of under-21s head coach Darren Purse and academy manager Gavin Chesterfield.
"You want that genuine collaboration where everybody feels part of something special," he added.
"We're still in the very early stages of trying to become the club we want to be, but for all the players to show so much passion and fight for a game like this was very satisfying."
Senior players including Callum Robinson, Chris Willock, Will Fish and Calum Chambers watched Cardiff's youngsters triumph.
Barry-Murphy said many of the players involved against Arsenal will play again in the next round.
"For these players to put so much into this game, the reward for them has to be that they get the chance to compete in the next round and see how far we can go," he said.
"That gives them an incredible benefit in terms of how quickly their development can be increased."
