Coca-Cola Federation Cup Quarter Final Preview

Para Hills Knights vs. West Adelaide
Coca-Cola Federation Cup Quarter Final

When: Monday, April 21st. Kick-off 2:30pm
Where: The Paddocks, Bridge Road PARA HILLS

Form: 

Para Hills Knights: L L L  

Round 6: Para Hills 1-2 MetroStars, The Paddocks
Round 7: Raiders 2-1 Para Hills Knights, Croatian Sports Centre
Round 8: Para Hills 1-5 Campbelltown, The Paddocks

West Adelaide: D W L

Round 6: West Torrens Birkalla 4-4 West Adelaide, Jack Smith Park
Round 7: West Adelaide 3-2 Croydon Kings, Adelaide Shores Football Centre
Round 8: Adelaide Comets 3-1 West Adelaide, Santos Stadium

Round 9: Saturday 19 April, West Adelaide v Para Hills Knights, Adelaide Shores Football Centre

Preview:

Para Hills Knights will host West Adelaide at the Paddocks in a tantalizing quarterfinal clash this Easter Monday.

With both sides coming off losses in round 8 of the FFSA National Premier league, it will be a unique situation where the two sides will face off twice in 48 hours, with Para Hills Knights & West Adelaide set to meet in Round 9 of the South Australia National Premier League.

Para Hills Knights booked their place in the quarter finals courtesy of a hard fought victory over Adelaide Comets, running out victors 4-3 AET after a late surge by the visitors was held at bay.

Para Hills Knights have had a relatively successful run in the Federation Cup over the past few seasons, traditionally going deep into the rounds and causing heartache for their opponents, and therefore remain quite optimistic about their chance in progressing towards the 2014 semi finals.

Despite their recent league form, Knights’ Coach Simon Catanzaro said, “The best thing about Monday’s game is it’s do or die. I believe my boys play their best football in that situation, as it brings out the best in them.

“West Adelaide will head into the match heavy favourites based on their league position; however we have previous success in similar situations, and have a proud history in the Coca-Cola Federation Cup.”

Originally hailing from Sydney, Catanzaro would relish the opportunity to travel interstate to his old stomping ground in a bid to contest a tie against an A League team based in Sydney.

“Cup competitions are held in high esteem all over the world, and this year there is a little bit more incentive as the winner will represent the state and have the chance to square off against an A-League team, possibly from my home town.”

When discussing the fact that the two sides will meet twice in a little over 48 hours, Catanzaro noted not much will change in the preparation leading up to the game however he did coomment that the result on Saturday will provide the Knights with a fair indication of where they are at and if any sudden changes need to be made.

After starting the season brightly, West Adelaide succumbed to the Adelaide Comets last weekend in what was the first loss of the season.

West Adelaide midfielder Kosta Mantis noted, “It was disappointing to concede the lead and ultimately the match in the fashion in which we did, however that is football and the test will be to see how we regroup and bounce back from the defeat”.

When asked if this years Coca-Cola Federation Cup has any added importance being that the winner will be destined to represent the state in the FFA Cup, Mantis said “In years gone by the league may have taken precedence, however with the opportunity to represent South Australia and ultimately test yourself against the nation’s best it certainly means that it is right up there with the league this year.”

When asked what effect playing two games on the Easter weekend would have within his camp, Mantis told that the quick turn around should not present an issue.

“We’ve had great conditioning leading up to the season, we went over to Melbourne in the pre-season to compete in the 3XY Cup, and ended up playing five games in a little over 48 hours and the majority of the players pulled up quite well, so I’m anticipating that the entire squad will be rearing to go over both fixtures”.

With eight teams remaining, Monday’s clash at the Paddocks will be a hard fought contest by two very talented squads, and the winner will advance to the semi finals of the competition, and be one of four teams left in the race to obtain the chance to represent the State on a National Stage.

Monday 21 April

MetroStars v Adelaide City
2:30pm – TK Shutter Reserve, Fourth Avenue, KLEMZIG

West Torrens Birkalla v Western Strikers
2:30pm – Jack Smith Park, Morphett Road, NOVAR GARDENS

Wednesday 30 April

The Cove FC v Croydon Kings
7:00pm – Adelaide Shores Football Centre, West Beach Road, WEST BEACH

 

 

 




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