RAA NPLSA & State League Preview | Round 19

WT Birkalla vs Adelaide City
2:30 pm | Saturday 23 July | Jack Smith Park
Last Meeting:
(7/5/22) Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds Round Three | Adelaide City 5 v WT Birkalla 0

West Torrens Birkalla SC
Facebook: West Torrens Birkalla SC

Currently at the bottom of the RAA NPLSA, WT Birkalla search for their fourth win of the season as they look to remain in the league in season 2023. On a three-game losing streak, WT Birkalla missed a perfect opportunity last round to close the four-point gap between themselves and tenth placed Adelaide Olympic as they faced a 2-0 defeat to relegation rivals Cumberland United in Round 18. Having found their scoring form between Round 10 and 14 where they scored 12 goals, WT Birkalla has dramatically dropped off once again with the team scoring only once in their last four outings. With only four games remaining, WT Birkalla are in desperate need for a victory in Round 19 if they are to remain in the RAA NPLSA.

WT Birkalla has already met Adelaide City twice this season, with the first coming in Round Eight where an 87th-minute Austin Ayoubi goal almost provided the then-undefeated league leaders with their first loss, however, an added-time Daniel Bressan finish saw both teams share the points. The teams then met a couple of weeks later in the Australia Cup SA Preliminary Rounds where Adelaide City secured a 5-0 victory with Aladin Irabona, Charlie Devereux, Thomas Brown and Matthew Dawber all got their names on the scoresheet.

After starting the season undefeated in their opening 15 matches while securing eleven wins, Adelaide City’s league form has noticeably dropped off with the team without a win in their last three. Having faced a loss and a draw prior to Round 18, Adelaide City was hoping to return to winning ways in their clash with Adelaide United FC last round. However, the team had to settle for another draw with the match finishing 3-3, with Aladin Irabona, Charlie Devereux and a last-minute Matthew Halliday header dramatically securing the draw. With the team securing the Federation Cup with a 5-0 win over Modbury Jets last week, Adelaide City will be heading into their clash with WT Birkalla in great spirits as they look to distance themselves from second and third where only one point separates them.

WT Birkalla line-up: 4. Christopher Ashwood (C), 5. Lucas Tsaconas, 7. Stefan Simic, 8. Jake Monaco, 9. Calvin Mbarga, 10. Austin Ayoubi, 13. Ethan Stevenson, 17. David Makridis, 19. Nathan Munro, 20. Nicholas Harpas (GK), 25. Liam Conway, 80. John-Paul Cirillo, 91. Yasmin Sudic
Coaches: Jason Trimboli, George Katsaneris, Carmine Lauriello
Team Staff: Henry Lambert, Roger Williamson, Carol Goddard

Adelaide City line-up: 4. Matthew Halliday, 5. Zakariah Waters, 6. Bradley Corbo, 7. Daniel Bressan, 10. Nicholas Bucco, 14. Aladin Irabona, 19. Vianne Kurikwimana, 20. Charlie Devereux, 22. JUAN GUTIERREZ, 23. Jai King-Byrne, 27. Matthew Dawber, 33. Dakota Ochsenham (GK), 99. Ayom Ayom Majok
Coaches: Paul Pezos, George Tsonis, Lewis Vallelonga
Team Staff: Fabian Garuccio, Nik Hagicostas, Luis Fernandez Astudillo

 

FK Beograd vs Adelaide Comets
3:00 pm | Saturday 23 July | Frank Mitchell Park
Last Meeting:
(23/4/22) Round Eight, Adelaide Comets 2 v FK Beograd 1

Adelaide Comets
Facebook: Adelaide Comets FC

FK Beograd’s great form looks to continue as they search to secure their eighth victory of the season with a spot in the Final Series in their vision. Since Round 10, FK Beograd has been in almost unbeatable form, with the team losing only one of their last nine games. In their last fixture, FK Beograd secured a 2-1 victory over MetroStars with Joshua Mori continuing his incredible goalscoring run as his two goals against his former club as he took his tally to 15 goals for the season. Currently holding a three-point gap inside the top six, FK Beograd must look to continue their great run of form with Croydon FC and Adelaide United FC breathing down their neck.

Adelaide Comets and FK Beograd played out a tightly contested encounter last time they met with the score finishing 2-1. Paul Radice's 48th-minute goal gave FK Beograd the lead, however a red card a minute later saw the goal scorer given his marching orders. Down to ten men, FK Beograd was unable to hold their lead with Adelaide Comets finding the lead through two goals in quick succession with Nikolas Ikonomopoulos and Thomas Briscoe both scoring.

With three consecutive wins, Adelaide Comets have now gone level on points at the top of the ladder Adelaide City, with only goal difference preventing them from obtaining the top spot. In their last three games, Adelaide Comets have been impenetrable in defence with the team keeping three clean sheets. Their last match saw Adelaide Comets secure a 2-0 victory over a rejuvenated Adelaide Olympic side with Thomas Briscoe and Allan Welsh picking up their eighth and sixth goals of the season. With the season gradually coming to an end, Adelaide Comets will search to overtake Adelaide City at the top of the RAA NPLSA as they search to obtain their third consecutive Premiership.

FK Beograd line-up: 2. Brian Kaltak, 5. Jacob Butler-Bowdon, 6. Paul Radice, 7. Yusuf Ahmed, 8. Christian Sotira, 9. Joshua Mori, 10. Thomas Love, 12. Antonios Natsiopoulos, 13. Deale Chamberlain (GK), 15. Massimo Falco, 18. Stanisa Velinov, 19. Filimon Asefa, 22. Akok Arok, 23. Cooper Nunn
Coaches: Damian Mori, Joshua Smith, Scott Parr
Team Staff: Constantinos Tsaconas, Sachin Prakash Kumar

Adelaide Comets line-up: 4. Logan Marley-McFall, 5. Adam Le Cornu, 7. Augustus Williams, 8. Ryan Yates, 9. Ryan Cook, 10. Anthony Mavrolambados, 11. Thomas Briscoe, 14. Nathan Andijanto, 18. Thomas Giannakopoulos, 19. Jaiden Diamantis, 21. Nikolas Ikonomopoulos, 22. Allan Welsh, 23. Scott Nagel, 24. Lachlan Stead, 31. Daniel Vaughan (GK)
Coaches: Barney Smith, John Falidis, Peter Eleftherakis
Team Staff: Evangelo Katsambis, Andrew Furner, Emma Gericke, Andreas Wiens, Ilias Tsakiris

 

Sturt Lions vs Cumberland United
3:00 pm | Saturday 23 July | Karinya Reserve
Last Meeting:
(23/4/22) Round Eight, Cumberland United 1 v Sturt Lions 3

Cumberland United
Facebook: Cumberland United Football Club

Without a win in their last five games, Sturt Lions are in desperate need for a win if they are to keep their top six hopes alive. Currently sitting in ninth, Sturt Lions have experienced a difficult season thus far which has seen them win only five games in their opening 18. The team’s misery continued as they faced their ninth defeat of the season as Croydon FC beat them 2-1, with Samed Altundag’s 22nd minute goal unable to provide the team with any points on the day. This week’s matchup against Cumberland United is extremely important for Sturt Lions, as a win could potentially see them close the five-point gap with the top six, however, a loss will see them go two points away from the relegation zone.

Sturt Lions eased to victory in their last meeting with Cumberland United, as a Gonzalo Rodriguez double and one goal by Will Plush gave Sturt Lions an early 3-0 lead. Harry Thannhauser was able to get one back for Cumberland United on the day, but it merely acted as a consolation goal.

Cumberland United was able to keep their hopes of remaining in the RAA NPLSA for season 2023 alive last round, as they recorded an important three points against relegation rivals WT Birkalla. A first-half goal by Tom Dittmar and a last-minute strike by Harry Thomas saw Cumberland United leave the bottom spot while closing their gap to survival to only four points. A win for Cumberland United could prove extremely important, with the three points potentially taking them within a point of survival, with clashes with Adelaide Olympic and South Adelaide just around the corner.

Sturt Lions line-up: 1. James Klappers (GK), 2. Michael Marrone, 3. Daniel Guastella, 4. Jacob Atkinson, 5. Lachlan Duffy, 6. Jack Dawson, 7. Ben Woollard, 8. Caden Yates, 9. Gonzalo Rodriguez, 10. Alexander Sortini, 11. Samed Altundag, 12. Tyreece Conway, 13. Mitchell Keens, 14. Zack Gomez, 15. Akira Kobaishi, 16. Samuel Voigt, 17. Jonathan Fusco (C), 18. Toby Nelson, 19. Luke Fusco, 20. Jack Locke, 21. Jed Gauci, 22. Isaac Jordaan, 23. Michael Giorgines
Coaches: Lino Fusco, Frank Tibaldi, Gregory Videon, Mirza Sljivo
Team Staff: Ivan Piovesan, Logan Stevens, Matthew Flounders

Cumberland United line-up: Ned Styles, 1. Luke Schoen (GK), 2. Jack Schoen, 3. Joshua Harvey, 4. Tom Dittmar, 5. Sam Carmichael, 7. Rocco Visconte, 8. Harry Thannhauser, 9. Yuya Taguchi, 14. Cohan Morris, 20. Stavros Bakopanos, 22. Minsung Park, 24. Amir Ibrahim, 27. Harry Thomas, 35. Thomas Visser

 

South Adelaide vs Croydon FC
3:00 pm | Saturday 23 July | O’Sullivans Beach Sports & Community Centre
Last Meeting:
(22/4/22) Round Eight, Croydon FC 1 v South Adelaide 1

Croydon FC
Facebook: Croydon FC

With only one win in their last seven outings, South Adelaide finds themselves in a difficult situation heading into their clash with Croydon FC. The team faced their ninth defeat of the season last round as a dominant display by Campbelltown City provided the team with a 2-0 loss. After unfortunately missing out on an opportunity to gain three points in their Round 17 clash with Adelaide Olympic, South Adelaide now sits five points away from the current sixth-placed Croydon FC. A win will see the team close the gap to only two points, however, a loss could be detrimental as Cumberland United, and WT Birkalla searches to remain in the league for another season.

Croydon FC was able to savour a point in their last meeting with South Adelaide, as an 87th-minute Peter Mercurio goal cancelled Jack Rudge’s first-half goal for South Adelaide.

After facing seven defeats from Round 9 to 16, Croydon FC looks to have returned to good form, with the team on a two-game winning streak. In their last fixture, the team recorded a 2-1 win over Sturt Lions, with super-sub-Luis Benedetti scoring within the first minute of being on the pitch to make the score level, while Antoni Trimboli sealed the victory as he found the back of the net in the 69th minute. Earning three points last round saw Croydon FC jump back into the top six, with only one point separating themselves and Adelaide United FC in seventh. A win is vital for Croydon FC with numerous teams still searching to gain a place in the Final Series.

South Adelaide line-up: 1. Ryan Veitch (C) (GK), 2. Michael Goode, 6. Liam Wooding, 7. Melad Ahmad, 10. Jonathon Rideout, 11. Alexander Rideout, 13. Jai Conroy, 15. Jackson Stephens, 16. Declan Finney, 17. Chol Wel, 18. Jack Rudge, 19. Blake Lindsay, 24. Daniel Evans, 36. George Mannion
Coaches: Anthony Rideout, Daniel Milovanovic, Christopher Reed
Team Staff: Gary Craggs, Jacqueline Wingate

Croydon FC line-up: 1. Gianni Tramontin, 2. John Panagaris, 3. Inthavanh Thongsisavat, 4. Lawand Hasan, 5. Luke Klimek (C), 7. Sebastian Goode, 8. Adam Martinello, 9. Dion Kirk, 10. Antoni Trimboli, 11. Luis Benedetti, 14. Peter Mercurio, 15. Froribert Niyonkuru, 16. Kristos Stefanopoulos, 17. Giuseppe Macheda, 18. Jarrod Brazzale, 19. Benson Nsegetse, 20. Jared Clark, 21. John Hall (GK), 23. Patrick Caraccia
Coaches: Travis Dodd, Latham Byfield, Adam Vizzari
Team Staff: Giuseppe Catalano, Joshua Avery

 

Adelaide Olympic vs Campbelltown City
6:00 pm | Saturday 23 July | APEX Football Stadium
Last Meeting:
(23/4/22) Round Eight, Campbelltown City 3 v Adelaide Olympic 0

campbelltown
Facebook: Campbelltown City Soccer & Social Club

Adelaide Olympic’s fight for survival took I minor slipup last round as they fell to defeat as Adelaide Comets beat them 2-0. With that loss and a win to Cumberland United, Adelaide Olympic now only sit three points above the relegation zone, meaning every point will be valuable heading into the final four games of the season. Currently, on a run of only one loss in their last six games, Adelaide Olympic must look to retain this form if they are to remain in the league for season 2023.

It was a comfortable performance for Campbelltown City in their last matchup with Adelaide Olympic, which saw Alex Mullen secure a brace, while Joshua Barresi marked his first start of the season with his first goal since his return to the club.

Campbelltown City has continued to look like one of the most feared teams in the competition, with the quality within the team carrying them to five wins over the last five matches. Winning ways continued for the team in Round 18 as goals by Joshua Barresi and Marc Marino saw Campbelltown City take all three points against South Adelaide in a dominant display. Currently sitting in third, Campbelltown City is now only one point off the top spot with the team looking to contribute a strong end to the season as they search for their first Premiership win since 2019.

Adelaide Olympic line-up: 1. Lewis Moss, 3. Paul Wilson, 4. Benkert Abdija, 5. Adam Leombruno, 6. Kristin Konstandopoulos, 7. Jason Konstandopoulos, 9. Christos Pounendis, 10. Dylan D'Agostino, 11. Tito Bontor, 12. Jacob Jones, 14. Tzoi Tsarkani, 15. Michael Cittadini, 20. Clifford Maina, 24. Panagiotis Manidakis, 44. Ioannis Simosis
Coaches: Yianni Stamatelopoulos, George Konstandopoulos, Bill Nastou
Team Staff: Robert Muscio, Marcus Gentile, Sumin Kim

Campbelltown City line-up: 1. Alexander Woodlands (GK), 2. Shaun Harvey (C), 3. Mario Orrico, 5. James Boffa, 6. Adam D'Agostino, 7. Joel Allwright, 8. Alexander Mullen, 9. Marc Marino, 9. Nicholas Graves, 10. Luigi Ditroia, 12. Nicholas Francese, 14. Adam Piscioneri, 15. Antony Piscioneri, 16. Daniel Mullen, 18. Yohei Matsumoto, 19. Joshua Barresi, 20. Matthew Centofanti, 23. Jake Halliday, 35. Luca Meggetto
Coaches: Michael Matricciani, Adrian DAloia, brenton hiern, Edward Scalzi
Team Staff: Agelo Kapnistis, Liam Oates, Chris Carter, Corey Artone

 

MetroStars vs Adelaide United FC
6:00 pm | Saturday 23 July | TK Shutter Reserve
Last Meeting:
(23/4/22) Round Eight, Adelaide United FC 2 v MetroStars 3

MetroStars
Facebook: MetroStars

After becoming the first team this season to beat Adelaide City, MetroStars has found themselves winless in their previous two matches since their Round 16 heroics. Having missed the opportunity to jump into the top two after facing a 1-0 loss to Adelaide Comets in Round 17, MetroStars top two hopes almost completely founded away as they picked up their second loss in two weeks as FK Beograd beat them 2-1, with Anthony Solagna’s 86th-minute goal unable to produce any comeback. The team will be without Cameron Woodfin after he was sent off in the last match. With six points currently separating them and the top three, MetroStars will be hoping to pick up great form as they head into the Finals Series.

It was a match of two halves last time MetroStars met Adelaide United FC in Round Eight action. Adelaide United FC was able to take an early 2-0 lead as goals by Asad Kasumovic and a MetroStars own goal put the team ahead. However, MetroStars came out of the gate strong in the second half as a double from Ren Nagamatsu and an Ariath Piol winner gave them the win and three points.

Adelaide United FC has been a team on a mission for the last three rounds, with the team securing two wins and a draw. The young squad put in an incredibly strong performance when they met the league leaders Adelaide City last round, with their tremendous pace in attack seeing goals by Panashe Madanha, Luka Jovanovic and Kane Vidmar give them the lead. However, a few moments of lapse in concentration saw Adelaide City continuously find the equaliser, including a last-minute goal to put the score to 3-3. The draw last round saw Adelaide United FC drop out of the top six into seventh, with the side only one point off the Finals Series places.

MetroStars line-up: 1. Isaac Carmody, 2. Connor O'rielly, 4. Justin Davis, 6. Paul Blefari, 7. Hamish Gow, 8. Rocky Callisto, 9. Thomas Strain, 10. Anthony Solagna (C), 11. Ariath Piol, 12. Alessio Melisi, 14. Philip Cash, 15. Nicholas Pedicini, 16. Francesco Schimizzi, 17. Cameron Dix, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Cooper O'donnell, 20. Luke Ostbye (GK), 22. Jackson Walls, 23. Christian Esposito, 26. Ren Nagamatsu, 27. Jackson Fortunatow
Coaches: Robert Saraceno, Nicholas Bouzalas, Adam Van Dommele, Michael Rende
Team Staff: Giorgio Capoccia, Brett Schiller, Joseph Polisena, George Laoutaris

Adelaide United FC line-up: Ashton Rinaldo, 19. Nestor Irankunda, 40. Ethan Cox (GK), 44. Arbi Mollas, 51. Panashe Madanha, 52. Giuseppe Bovalina, 53. Kane Vidmar, 54. Panagiotis Kikianis, 55. Ethan Alagich, 58. Musa Toure, 62. Fabian Talladira, 63. Patrick Mcgregor, 77. Asad Kasumovic, 97. Luka Jovanovic
Coaches: Airton Andrioli, Elvis Markov, Vlado Blazeka, Joe Verringer
Team Staff: Jonathan Norodom, Katrina Smith

 

State League One


State League One

Adelaide Victory and Adelaide University SC face off in Round 19 action in a match that could determine who could remain in State League One for season 2023. Adelaide Victory currently sits two points above current eleventh placed Adelaide University SC with a win seeing them go five points clear of relegation with only three games to go. After securing what was only their second win of the season against Playford City in Round 17, Adelaide Victory were devasted to have lost their next game as a 90th-minute Port Adelaide goal saw the team lose 2-1. Although fighting relegation, Adelaide Victory has been tremendous this season in defence, with the team holding the best defensive record in the competition. Adelaide University SC is currently without a win since their Round 12 2-1 win over Adelaide Hills and sits in eleventh, two points inside the relegation zone. The team earned a valuable point last round as a John Karatzas 63rd-minute goal earned the team a draw. A win is needed for Adelaide University SC this round as a loss will see them go five points away from safety, with a draw seeing them remain in the bottom two, whereas a win will see the team leave the bottom two and hold an advantage over Adelaide Victory heading into the final rounds of the season.

On the back of their heroics in the Australia Cup Round of 32, Modbury Jets look to continue their amazing run at the top of State League One as they face the top six hopefuls in Port Adelaide. Since Round 15, Port Adelaide has recorded three wins in their last four matches, which has seen them jump back into the top six as they hold a two-point gap between them and seventh placed Fulham United FC. Port Adelaide has experienced consecutive 2-1 wins with the team scoring in the 90th minute in both games to secure the victories. The team will be hoping to continue this as they search to secure a top-six place in their first season back in State League One. Their opponents Modbury Jets currently hold a six-point lead at the top of State League One with only four matches remaining and will look to continue their great form after they secured a 5-2 win in the Australia Cup Round of 32. With the end of the State League One season gradually coming to an end, Modbury Jets will be hoping to secure promotion back into the RAA NPLSA in the coming weeks, with a win over Port Adelaide putting them in a great position.

State League One football continues as Adelaide Hills face Adelaide Blue Eagles at Hawks Nest, Fulham United FC travels to Croatian Sports Centre to face Adelaide Croatia Raiders, Para Hills Knights face Playford City while second place West Adelaide host Eastern United at West Beach Parks Football Centre.

 

State League Two

State League Two

Adelaide Cobras are the team to watch once again in State League Two as the current league leaders look to remain at the top of the league with a promotion to State League One in their sights. Currently on a three-game winning streak, Adelaide Cobras have remained three points clear of second-place Vipers FC who are breathing down their necks. In their last fixture, Adelaide Cobras secured a strong 2-0 win over Northern Demons as first-half goals by Andrew Panayi and Daniel Solari secured the victory and the three points. The team will be glad to see the return of defender Daniel Scorsonelli and midfielder Romain Toscano as they head into an important encounter. Their opponents Salisbury United returned to winning ways in Round 18 as they ended a five-game run without a win as they beat Noarlunga United 1-0 with a Liam Bebbington 68th minute finish. Haven fallen ten points behind the top spot, Salisbury United will be hoping to head into the Final Series in great form as they begin to rectify a struggling period of form.

In other State League Two action sees Modbury Vista and Pontian Eagles SC kick-off Round 18 on Friday night, current bottom side Gawler Eagles FC face an inform Western Strikers, Mount Barker United SC travels to Southern Soccer Facility to face Cove FC, while Salisbury United will face Noarlunga United and Seaford Rangers host Vipers FC.