National Premier League SA
Round 12
South Adelaide vs Adelaide City
Venue: O’Sullivans Beach Sports & Community Centre
Date: 31/05/2019 07:00 PM
A huge relegation battle commences tonight down south as the league's two bottom clubs face off at O'Sullivans Beach.
Both Panthers and City come into the game off defeats from last weekend. Panthers going down 5-1 at home to Olympic, while City lost 2-1 away at Croydon Kings on Saturday afternoon.
If Panthers have any hope in climbing their way out of trouble, then a win is a must. A home win would see them overtake their opponents and see them within touching distance of West Adelaide in 10th spot.
City travels down South without key midfielder Nic Bucco, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Tonight kicks off a pivotal week in City's season, with an FFA Cup Qualifying semi-final against Elizabeth Downs midweek followed by another huge relegation battle against West Adelaide next Friday night.
South Adelaide: Michael Goode, Jordan Watson, Jai Conroy, Joel Smith, Callum Nissen, 1. Con Zacharopoulos (GK), 3. Christopher Reed, 4. Robert Parker, 5. Tyson Condon (C), 06. Liam Wooding, 7. Nicholas Harpas, 08. Sam Carmichael, 09. Harley Gepp, 10. Donovan Pollock, 11. Jayden Lobasso, 14. Christian Tinnion, 16. Brayden Micallef
Coaches: Benjamin Dale, Dave Lee, Matthew Huntley, Fraser Mc Lean
Team Staff: Kym Goode, Lucy Boseley, Connor Fagan
Adelaide City: Christopher Pepe, 1. Ryan Veitch, 3. Bradley Corbo, 5. Zakariah Waters, 6. Dominic Matricciani, 8. Joseph Costa, 9. Anthony Costa, 10. Evan Kostopoulos, 17. Stefan Casalbore, 18. Paul Radice, 22. Haris Vuckic, 45. Tomas Maricic, 48. Marcos Flores, 49. Massimo Falco
Coaches: Michael Matricciani, Geoff Hargreaves, Oliver Totani, Joe Verringer
Team Staff: Fabian Garuccio, Kevin Doan, Mark Zito
Para Hills Knights vs Raiders
Venue: The Paddocks
Date: 1/06/2019 03:00 PM
Para Hills Knights welcome Raiders to The Paddocks on Saturday afternoon in an intriguing battle.
Both sides find themselves in a relatively good stable form, with Para Hills losing just once in their last five encounters and Raiders arrive on the back of two straight wins.
Barney Smiths men will be looking to get back to winning ways after a positive May. The Knights were unbeaten in five heading into last week's 4-1 defeat away at MetroStars.
Dependant on other results, a win could see Knights climb as high as 6th spot, and with Olympic and Adelaide United facing off against each other, a win for Para Hills would be welcomed timing.
Promotion winners Raiders though will be looking to keep up with the pace at the top of the ladder. Raiders come off the back of a thumping 3-1 win away at Adelaide United last week, with Rocco Visconte producing some magic with a long-range lob, which won our 9 News Goal of the Week poll.
Para Hills Knights: 1. Timothy Ramsey (GK), 3. Peter Eleftherakis, 4. Kieran Mcnally, 6. Matthew Marchioro, 8. Darsem Shaksi, 9. Michael Ndjekompte, 10. Luke Colalancia, 11. Andrew Butler, 12. Paul Reilly (GK), 14. Thilo Wilke, 15. Pierce Stephens, 17. Mohammed Sumaoro, 18. Pietro Piantedosi, 19. Kyle Crout, 21. Isaac Mullen, 21. Jordan Findlay, 22. Hirofumi Kochi, 23. Tyler Bailey
Coaches: Barney Smith, Paul Crout, Matthew Bates
Team Staff: Geoff Sullivan, Jamie Ocego-Kingsley, Dwayne Hall
Raiders: 1. Vasilios Tryfopoulos, 2. Michael Acton, 3. Kalilou Kamara, 4. Paul Blefari (C), 5. Adam Van Dommele, 6. Omari Didero, 7. Jackson Walls, 8. Rocco Visconte, 9. Scott Tunbridge, 10. Terence Carter, 11. David Carosi, 13. Nicholas Munro, 14. Oliver Zafiridis, 16. Ambesager Yosief, 18. Joshua Mori, 20. Aaron Acton, 21. Jake Monaco, 33. Mark Ulaj, 91. Yasmin Sudic, 99. Emanuel Philip
Coaches: Nikica Kuzman, Larry Piscioneri, Michael Paleka, Lindsay Paterson
Team Staff: Antonio Vella, Lisa Feleppa, An-Phong Nguyen
MetroStars vs Adelaide Blue Eagles
Venue: TK Shutter Reserve
Date: 1/06/2019 03:00 PM
Words by Jason Cavey @JasonKVOfficial
MetroStars are coming off a come from behind 4-1 win over Para Hill Knights (match highlights here). A response was required following our FFA Cup disappointing exit at the hands of Elizabeth Downs. Second half goals from Dylan Smith, Anthony Solagna, Matt Charalambous and a brilliant Hamish Gow free kick gave us all 3 points in what was a difficult week for the club.
Meanwhile Adelaide Blue Eagles are coming off a 2-0 loss at home to Campbelltown City which saw them relinquish top spot in NPLSA. Daniel Mullen and Yohei Matsumoto brought a halt to Blue Eagles recent good form.
Antony Solagna is set to play in his 250th competitive game. Tim Henderson will be pushing for a starting berth after appearing as a substitute twice. Fabian Barbiero will return to the squad. Tom Strain, Cohan Morris and Christian Esposito are unavailable through injury. Matthew Dawber and Matt Charalambous will face their old club, both having moved across from OG Road to join MetroStars.
MetroStars: 1. Isaac Carmody (GK), 2. Nicholas Menechella, 4. Justin Davis, 5. Timothy Henderson, 6. Lachlan Barr, 7. Michael Daloisio (C), 8. Rocky Callisto, 10. Anthony Solagna, 11. Matthew Charalambous, 12. Benjamin Head, 14. Dylan Smith, 15. Luis Benedetti, 16. Alexander Jakob, 17. Matthew Dawber, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Cooper O'Donnell, 20. Cameron O'Doherty, 21. Ryan Mayo, 22. Hamish Gow, 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 Blue Eagles: 5. Christopher Annicchiarico, 6. Brylon Nthoane, 7. Shekubah Hutton-Addy, 8. Damien Crettenden, 9. Emanuele Testardi, 10. Alemayo Kebede, 11. Evan Kounavelis, 14. Stefan Gluscevic, 15. Christian D'Angelo, 16. Hamish Mccabe, 17. Liam Mccabe, 21. Ivan D'Adamo, 23. Antoni Panagoulias, 26. Richard Goss
Coaches: Vojislav Gluscevic, Danny Barone
Team Staff: Remo Gagliardi, Bhavik Dadia, Jackson Howie, Cale Amos
West Adelaide vs Campbelltown City
Venue: Adelaide City Park
Date: 1/06/2019 03:00 PM
Table toppers Campbelltown City travel the short distance to Oakden on Saturday afternoon to take on strugglers West Adelaide.
Jo Mullen's men are at the NPL summit for the first time this season after a superb win over rivals Adelaide Blue Eagles last weekend. Alex Mullen struck a huge delflected shot into the net before Matsamuto put the NPL cahmpions 2-0 before half time.
West Adelaide, languishing in 10th spot, have battled their way to two consecitive draws in recent weeks, against Olympic at VALO and last week got a fantastic point against high flying Comets at Oakden.
Ahead of their crunch match with Adelaide City next Friday night, West Adelaide will be looking to take some momentum into the game.
West Adelaide: 1. Lewis Moss (GK), 3. Matthew Di Matteo, 5. Zachary Hristodoulopoulos, 6. Ryuta Hamamatsu, 7. Perry Mitris (C), 8. Jack Yull, 9. Theo Balomenos, 10. Kosta Mantis, 11. Ibrahima Kamara, 12. Matthew Bouraee, 13. Matthew Bouzalas, 15. Alex Hristodoulopoulos, 16. Jordan Maricic, 17. Athanasios Morakis, 18. Tito Bontor, 19. Jaiden Diamantis, 20. Thanasis Lesi, 25. Roan Gillam
Coaches: Steven De Giovanniello, Stavros Gelekis
Team Staff: Aaron Kaselouris, Charlie Larosa
Campbelltown City: 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, 14. Adam Piscioneri, 16. Daniel Mullen, 17. Brandon Centofanti, 18. Yohei Matsumoto, 20. Nicholas Harpas (GK), 23. Jake Halliday
Coaches: Joseph Mullen, Philip Stubbins, Leslie Pogliacomi
Team Staff: David Cavaiuolo, Elio Bria
Adelaide Comets vs Croydon Kings
Venue: Jack Smith Park
Date: 1/06/2019 06:00 PM
Adelaide Comets and Croydon Kings face off at Jack Smith Park in a Saturday twilight match.
Comets, currently sitting 3rd in the table, will be searching for their first win in 3 games after a run of 5 unbeaten games came to an ebrupt end in Round 10 against Campbelltown City.
The FFA Cup qualifying semi-finalists will have been dissapointed to have dropped two points on Saturday against West Adelaide at Oakden. Andrea Wiens gave Comets the perfect start early on, before Thanasis Lesi equialised just after the half hour mark.
Croydon Kings finally got a win under their belts last weekend with a 2-0 victory at home to Adelaide City, their 3rd win of the campaign. Despite the lack of wins on the board, Kings find themselves in and around the finals spots.
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. Tete Yengi, 11. Lansana Smith, 13. Jon Aurtenetxe Borde, 14. Nathan Andijanto, 16. Stephan Travaglione, 17. Franz Pjetri, 18. Stefan Simic, 22. Allan Welsh (C), 23. Scott Nagel, 30. Alexander Woodlands, 31. Thanasi Doupolis
Coaches: Konstandinos Antoniou, Elias Demo, Antonios Galanopoulos, Chris Simpson
Team Staff: Evangelo Katsambis, Elsie Kenny, Bridget Siviour
Croydon Kings: 1. Sebastian Matosevic, 1. Gianni Tramontin, 2. John Panagaris, 3. James Polli, 4. Alexander Sunasky, 6. Kerrin Stokes, 7. Kristos Stefanopoulos, 8. Andrew Maio, 9. Nathan Munro, 10. Luke Klimek (C), 11. Antoni Trimboli, 12. Christopher Vivian, 13. Eric Scardigno, 14. Peter Mercurio, 16. Adam Martinello, 17. Alex Demasi, 18. Jarrod Brazzale, 20. Zade Heinicke, 21. John Hall (GK), 23. Patrick Caraccia
Coaches: Angelo Costanzo, Maurice Natale, Latham Byfield, Robert Matosevic
Team Staff: Mario Catalano, Joshua Avery
Adelaide Olympic vs Adelaide United FC
Venue: VALO Football Centre
Date: 1/06/2019 07:00 PM
Words by Gianluco Filosi @GianlucaFilosi
Adelaide United Youth centre-back, Jared Clark, believes the Young Reds must be “smarter” when it comes to breaking down opposition defences.
Adelaide slumped to a fourth straight loss, going down 3-1 to Raiders last round and will need to improve when they meet Adelaide Olympic on Saturday night.
Clark felt the team had been playing well in the middle of the park but lamented they have struggled at either end of the field.
“I think overall in the past four games our football has been pretty good,” he said.
“But I think it’s just in that final third we’re not getting that final ball in, and defensively we’ve been lacking a bit.”
He added the only way to overcome the disappointing run of results was through hard work.
“I think as a team collectively we’re obviously not happy with four straight defeats, but I think it’s not just down to the forwards or midfielders or defenders,” he continued.
“But more for all of us to get behind each other and come out of this rut.”
Of late, the Young Reds have found it difficult to create chances and ultimately score goals, having netted just three in their previous four matches.
Adelaide at times have lacked a bit of cohesiveness in attack and have found it tough to penetrate teams that are content with sitting deep and defending.
Clark said moving forward they will need to slightly tweak their tactics going forward.
“We probably prefer if teams came and pressed us a bit,” he said.
“But maybe going off last season as well teams are getting smarter and they’re sitting off.
“So I think we need to also be smarter as well, hold possession and keep it while we can and pull their defenders out to create space in behind for our attackers.”
Olympic thumped South Adelaide 5-1 in Round 11 and currently lie in sixth spot on the table.
Clark knows it will be a battle to get the win but was confident their fortunes would turn.
“I think like every game in this league, a tough game,” he stated.
“All the teams are really good and Olympic won’t be any different.
“We’re looking to get the three points and get out of this period of defeats.”
Adelaide United Youth face Adelaide Olympic in Round 12 of the National Premier League 2019 season on Saturday, 1 June at VALO Football Centre – The Parks. Kick-off is at 7.00 PM. Reserves kick-off at 4.45pm.
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 United FC: Aladin Irabona, 5. Noah Smith, 7. Taras Gomulka, 9. Ninko Beric, 10. Kusini Yengi, 11. Carlo Armiento, 12. Yared Abetew, 18. Lachlan Brook, 20. Luca Meggetto, 24. Pacifique Niyongabire, 27. Louis D'Arrigo, 28. Kristin Konstandopoulos, 44. Jared Clark
Coaches: Paul Pezos, Joshua Smith, Mario Karlovic
Team Staff: Robert Muscio, Julian Urlings, Agelo Kapnistis