National Premier League SA
Round 20
Adelaide Blue Eagles vs MetroStars
Venue: Marden Sports Complex
Date: 3/08/2019 03:00 PM
Words by Jason Cavey | @JasonKVOfficial
MetroStars are coming off a 2-0 loss at home to Raiders (match highlights here) last Saturday. It was the worst possible start for Metro when Raiders were awarded a penalty in just the second minute when Barr was adjudged to have hand-balled in the area. Terence Carter stepped and converted the penalty. It was Carter again who doubled the advantage as he pounced on a miscommunication in defence and fired past Isaac Carmody. MetroStars had a shout for a penalty turned down in the second half but in truth, it was a poor match.
Meanwhile, Blue Eagles are coming off a 1-0 loss away to Croydon Kings. Masahiro Haruoka got the games only goal on 25 minutes. Evan Kounavelis was sent off in the 61st minute which means he will miss the game against Metro. The Azzuri are currently sitting in 6th place and are six points in front of MetroStars in 7th.
Head Coach Robbie Saraceno will be taking charge of his 100th game for MetroStars. His challenge now is to gain maximum points from the remaining three games to give MetroStars a chance of qualifying for the final series. Dylan Smith and Liam Wooding are both Michael D'Aloisio is a possibility to come back following a calf injury. Justin Davis and Nick Menechella are both out with season-ending injuries.
Adelaide Blue Eagles: Christopher Mercorella, Tyson Linsenmeier, Raffaele De Lucia, 1. Benjamin Jackson, 5. Christopher Annicchiarico (C), 6. Brylon Nthoane, 7. Shekubah Hutton-Addy, 8. Damien Crettenden, 9. Daniel Cockerline, 13. Alemayo Kebede, 14. Stefan Gluscevic, 15. Christian D'Angelo, 16. Hamish Mccabe, 17. Liam Mccabe, 18. Lucas Candeloro, 23. Antoni Panagoulias, 24. Adrian Barone, 26. Richard Goss (GK)
Coaches: Vojislav Gluscevic, Danny Barone
Team Staff: Zlatko Belanic, Bhavik Dadia, Jackson Howie, Zac Bastick, John Herlihy
MetroStars: 1. Isaac Carmody (GK), 3. Cohan Morris, 5. Timothy Henderson, 6. Lachlan Barr, 7. Michael Daloisio (C), 8. Rocky Callisto, 9. Thomas Strain, 10. Anthony Solagna, 11. Matthew Charalambous, 14. Dylan Smith, 15. Liam Wooding, 16. Alexander Jakob, 17. Matthew Dawber, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Cooper O'Donnell, 22. Hamish Gow, 23. Christian Esposito, 24. Nahuel Bonada, 25. Jackson O'Donnell, 26. Stefan Cali
Coaches: Robert Saraceno, Travis Dodd, Terry Frangakis
Team Staff: Giorgio Capoccia, Joseph Polisena, Peter Terminello, George Laoutaris
Adelaide United FC vs Adelaide Olympic
Venue: VALO Football Centre
Date: 3/08/2019 03:00 PM
Words by Gianluca Filosi @GianlucaFilosi
After ending Campbelltown City’s 14-match unbeaten run two weeks’ ago, Adelaide United Youth defender, Jared Clark, believes they can repeat that similar feat against Adelaide Olympic on Saturday.
Olympic are undefeated in their past 11 league matches, with their previous loss dating back to the end of April.
Indeed, it will not be easy with George Tsonis’ side fresh off their thrilling come-from-behind FFA Cup 2019 Round of 16 win over Floreat Athena, and overcoming table-toppers Campbelltown 2-1 last round.
“It is a must-win and I think our last three games are all must-win games,” Clark said.
“Obviously the week before we ended Campbelltown’s streak of 14 unbeaten games so I think we can definitely do the same to Olympic.
“I think if we go out with a good attitude and good mindset we’ll get the job done.”
The Young Reds suffered a setback against Adelaide Comets in Round 19 conceding a late goal to fall 2-1.
Clark felt the team was quite unlucky after an improved second-half performance on the small SA Athletics Stadium pitch.
“The pitch surface wasn’t too bad it was obviously just the size, it was a lot smaller,” he explained.
“So we had to adapt to that and it probably took us most of the first-half to adapt, but I think the second-half we were in our stride and pushing the ball around and creating chances.
“Definitely to concede late on is hard to swallow especially going into these last few games.”
That loss means Paul Pezos’ charges are now six points adrift of the top six with three matches left in the regular season.
Clark said the team was confident of securing their finals target, and stated the key will be to just focus on themselves and not worry too much about the potential permutations.
“If you look at the fixtures we’ve got the two games against Olympic and Blue Eagles, they’re both above us,” he said.
“And even in the last round I think there’s a lot of teams in the top six teams that do play each other.
“So there will be a lot of movement in and around and I think if we do just focus on our last three games and getting the three results we need we should be alright.”
Adelaide United FC: Aladin Irabona, 1. Cameron Cook (GK), 5. Noah Smith, 6. Ryan Yates, 7. Taras Gomulka, 9. Ninko Beric, 11. Carlo Armiento, 18. Lachlan Brook, 19. Alhassan Toure, 24. Pacifique Niyongabire, 27. Louis D'Arrigo, 28. Kristin Konstandopoulos, 32. Gideon Arok, 33. Anthony Mavrolambados, 44. Jared Clark, 50. Dakota Ochsenham (GK)
Coaches: Paul Pezos, Mario Karlovic, Joshua Smith, Eugene Galekovic
Team Staff: Robert Muscio, William Cutts, Julian Urlings
Adelaide Olympic: 1. Daniel Vaughan (GK), 2. Jacob Butler-Bowdon, 3. Matthew Halliday, 4. Thomas Brown, 5. David Makridis, 6. Elias Vlassis, 7. John Karatzas, 8. Manni Katopodis, 9. Christos Pounendis, 10. Ricardo DaSilva (C), 11. Alexandros Koutoulogenis, 12. Dimitri Toumazos, 13. Paul Espina, 14. Fausto Erba, 15. Jack Chivers, 16. John Tsimopoulos, 17. Paul Koutsampasis, 21. Nikolas Harpas, 23. Michael Alexandrou
Coaches: George Tsonis, Tony Sacca, Ali Sadick
Team Staff: Caroline Riemelmoser, Carl Robinson, Alex Abela
Adelaide City vs South Adelaide
Venue: Adelaide City Park
Date: 3/08/2019 03:00 PM
In an absolute must-win game for both sides, City host Panthers at Oakden on Saturday.
South Adelaide travel to Oakden for the second successive week, after their 4-1 defeat there at the hands of fellow relegation strugglers West Adelaide.
While mathematically South Adelaide can still stay up, a defeat today will be another nail in their NPL coffin.
City, who are on level points with West Adelaide, have goal difference on their side, and will no doubt be hoping to improve this and have an opportunity to do so as they face the leakiest defence in the league; a stat that could ultimately secure their NPL status for another year.
After a commendable run of games without defeat, City went down 2-0 last weekend against Para Hills.
The sides shared a 1-1 draw the last time the sides met back in round 12.
Adelaide City: Zakariah Waters, 4. Elliot Green, 6. Dominic Matricciani, 7. Christopher Pepe, 8. Joseph Costa, 9. Anthony Costa, 17. Stefan Casalbore, 20. Fabio Ferreira, 26. Sadegh Heidari, 45. Tomas Maricic, 46. Joe Gauci (GK), 48. Marcos Flores
Coaches: Michael Matricciani, Geoff Hargreaves, Joe Verringer
Team Staff: Peter Romeo, Oliver Totani, Kevin Doan, Mark Zito
South Adelaide: Christian Tinnion, David Thornton, Brayden Micallef, Michael Goode, Callum Nissen, 1. Ryan Veitch (GK), 3. Christopher Reed, 4. Robert Parker, 5. Caden Yates, 7. Nicholas Harpas, 8. Sam Carmichael (C), 13. Jai Conroy, 14. Jeven Beck, 15. Christopher Ashwood, 17. Joel Smith
Coaches: Brenton Hiern, Matthew Huntley, Fraser Mc Lean
Team Staff: Kym Goode, Lucy Boseley, Connor Fagan
Campbelltown City vs West Adelaide
Venue: Steve Woodcock Sports Centre
Date: 3/08/2019 03:00 PM
After their brave showing in the FFA Cup midweek in front over 3000 local fans, Campbelltown City switches their attention back to their league campaign as they host strugglers West Adelaide to Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils are within touching distance of back to back minor premierships, but with an inform Adelaide Olympic on their shoulders and a chasing pack, they will need to be cautious.
Campbelltown comes into the game on the back of two consecutive league defeats, and with West Adelaide gaining a confidence-boosting win last weekend, could this be a glimmer of hope for the blue and whites?
The NPL champions have Adelaide Comets and Corydon Kings in their home stretch.
West Adelaide have three grand finals to save their NPL season and have a tough run-in, with Olympic and MetroStars standing in their way of survival, plus hoping that Adelaide City drop points.
Campbelltown City: Leslie Pogliacomi, 1. Jamie Signorello, 2. Shaun Harvey, 4. Iain Fyfe (C), 5. Matthew Mullen, 6. Dion Kirk, 7. Joel Allwright, 8. Alexander Mullen, 9. Marc Marino, 10. Luigi Ditroia, 11. Anthony Ture, 12. Jacob Williams, 14. Adam Piscioneri, 16. Daniel Mullen, 18. Yohei Matsumoto, 20. Nicholas Harpas (GK), 23. Jake Halliday
Coaches: Joseph Mullen, Philip Stubbins, Leslie Pogliacomi
Team Staff: Panfilo Ciccocioppo, David Cavaiuolo, Elio Bria
West Adelaide: 1. Lewis Moss (GK), 3. Gatlat Tongyik, 5. Zachary Hristodoulopoulos, 6. Elias Vlassis, 7. Perry Mitris (C), 8. Jack Yull, 9. Sebastian Goode, 11. Ibrahima Kamara, 12. Matthew Bouraee, 15. Asad Kasumovic, 16. Jordan Maricic, 17. Tzoi Tsarkani, 18. Tito Bontor, 19. Jaiden Diamantis, 20. Thanasis Lesi, 23. Kristos Stefanopoulos, 25. Rian Del Nido
Coaches: Stavros Gelekis, Nicholas Bouzalas
Team Staff: Aaron Kaselouris, Charlie Larosa
Croydon Kings vs Adelaide Comets
Venue: Polonia Reserve
Date: 3/08/2019 03:00 PM
In what could be their penultimate match at the famous old ground, Croydon Kings hosts Adelaide Comets to Polonia this afternoon with both sides locked on the same number of points.
Croydon have their last ever home game at Polonia Reserve scheduled next Saturday against Raiders, but will want to farewell Polonia with a home finals fixture.
This is a match neither team will want to drop any points, with teams from 2nd to 6th separated by just two points. Both sides will be hungry for one of the top two spots to secure a double chance in the finals series.
Croydon come into this crunch encounter on the back of four wins on the spin, their best form all season. While Comets are unbeaten in five games.
Croydon enjoyed a big 2-0 win against Comets back in round 12 at Jack Smith Park, with late goals from Haruoka and Nick Munro.
Croydon Kings: 1. Gianni Tramontin, 2. John Panagaris, 4. Alexander Sunasky, 5. James Skeffington, 6. Kerrin Stokes, 9. Nathan Munro, 10. Luke Klimek (C), 11. Antoni Trimboli, 14. Peter Mercurio, 16. Adam Martinello, 17. Alex Demasi, 18. Jarrod Brazzale, 19. Masahiro Haruoka, 20. Zade Heinicke, 21. John Hall (GK), 23. Patrick Caraccia
Coaches: Angelo Costanzo, Maurice Natale, Robert Matosevic
Team Staff: Mario Catalano, Joshua Avery, Latham Byfield
Adelaide Comets: 1. Julian Torresan (GK), 2. Harry Keramidas, 4. Tom Dittmar, 5. Adam Le Cornu, 6. Jack Bladen, 7. Thomas Cyganov, 8. Connor Gollan, 9. Andreas Wiens, 10. Lansana Smith, 11. Jayden Lobasso, 12. Tete Yengi, 14. Nathan Andijanto, 15. Philip Cash, 16. Stephan Travaglione, 18. Stefan Simic, 22. Allan Welsh (C), 23. Scott Nagel, 30. Alexander Woodlands
Coaches: Konstandinos Antoniou, Elias Demo, Antonios Galanopoulos, Chris Simpson
Team Staff: Evangelo Katsambis, Elsie Kenny, Bridget Siviour
Raiders vs Para Hills Knights
Venue: Croatian Sports Centre
Date: 3/08/2019 03:00 PM
Raiders faces off with Para Hills on Saturday with finals football within touching distance for the home side.
Raiders enjoyed a professional 2-0 win at MetroStars last weekend, cementing their second win on the bounce and a third win in four games.
The home side will be looking to join league top-scorer Terence Carter to get them over the line on Saturday, with the Englishman slotting home both goals last weekend to take his tally to an impressive 16 goals for the campaign.
With Para Hills all but securing NPL safety last weekend with a vital 2-0 win at home to Adelaide City, they will now be looking up and hoping to put the pressure on MetroStars and Adelaide United in the chase for a last-ditch finals spot.
Raiders: 1. Vasilios Tryfopoulos, 2. Michael Acton, 4. Paul Blefari (C), 5. Adam Van Dommele, 6. Omari Didero, 7. Jackson Walls, 8. Rocco Visconte, 10. Terence Carter, 11. David Carosi, 13. Nicholas Munro (GK), 14. Oliver Zafiridis, 16. Ambesager Yosief, 18. Joshua Mori, 20. Aaron Acton, 21. Jake Monaco, 30. Giovanni Previtali, 91. Yasmin Sudic, 99. Emanuel Philip
Coaches: Nikica Kuzman, Larry Piscioneri, Michael Paleka, Terry Westwood
Team Staff: Antonio Vella, Lisa Feleppa, An-Phong Nguyen
Para Hills Knights: 1. Timothy Ramsey (GK), 2. Elliot Sims, 3. Peter Eleftherakis, 4. Kieran Mcnally, 5. Tyson Herraman, 6. Matthew Marchioro, 8. Pietro Piantedosi, 9. Michael Ndjekompte, 10. Luke Colalancia, 12. Jordan Findlay, 14. Thilo Wilke, 15. Pierce Stephens, 16. Todd Leahy, 17. Mohammed Sumaoro, 18. Logan Mcfall, 19. Kyle Crout, 20. Charlie Devereux, 21. Isaac Mullen, 22. Hirofumi Kochi, 23. Tyler Bailey
Coaches: Barney Smith, Paul Crout, Matthew Bates
Team Staff: Geoff Sullivan, Jamie Ocego-Kingsley, Dwayne Hall