R22 Preview: Campbelltown City v West Torrens Birkalla
Campbelltown City v West Torrens Birkalla
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia Round 22
When: Saturday, July 18th. Kick-off 3pm
Where: Steve Woodcock Sports Centre, Stradbroke Road, NEWTON
Teams:
Campbelltown City: 1 M. Moore, 7 L. Ditroia, 4 I. Fyfe, 2 S. Harvey, 13 T. Mcsorley, 8 K. Hara, 18 K. Minomura, 11 J. Monaco, 6 V. Parhas, 5 A. Kaine, 15 M. Matricciani, 3 M. Graham, I. Handley, 20 N. Harpas, 14 R. Townsend, 16 A. Ture
West Torrens Birkalla: 80 J. Cirillo, 14 L. D'Arrigo, 4 T. Dittmar, 16 P. Karakasilis, 24 T. Kawamura, 11 R. Kitto, 7 A. Miyayama, 2 S. Nagel, 20 P. Pietrosanti, 10 P. Radice, 3 K. Rowe, 12 C. Skull, 6 D. Solari, 5 H. Vuckic, 1 J. Torresan
Form:
Campbelltown City: L W W
Round 19: Campbelltown City 0-1 Croydon, Steve Woodcock Sports Centre
Round 20: Adelaide Comets 3-4 Campbelltown City, SA Athletics Stadium
Round 21: Adelaide Blue Eagles 1-2 Campbelltown City, Marden Sports Complex
West Torrens Birkalla: W L W
Round 19: West Torrens Birkalla 3-0 Modbury, Jack Smith Park
Round 20: Croydon 1-0 West Torrens Birkalla, Polonia Reserve
Round 21: West Torrens Birkalla 4-0 Adelaide Comets, Jack Smith Park
Preview:
As West Torrens Birkalla seeks to protect its lead atop the table, Campbelltown City is hoping to strengthen its top six place in Round 22 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre on Saturday.
Campbelltown has bounced back from a mid-season slump in which it recorded one win in seven matches to pick up nine points out of 12, including last week’s triumph over Adelaide Blue Eagles.
Assistant coach Joe Lagana says the players have been chief architects of the revival.
“We were under pressure in the first 30 minutes. Then we played the ball around and came out well in the second half. We got the goals and consolidated the win,” he said.
“We’ve upped the tempo at training recently; well the playing group did that. They deserve credit. We are starting to see the results of that change.”
The Red Devils are locked in the tight battle to make the finals. Just six points separate sixth placed Campbelltown from the leaders, with MetroStars lurking four points adrift.
Lagana believes the match with Birkalla is vital as the regular season draws to a close.
“It’s a very important game. MetroStars could close in should we lose, while we want to keep in touch with those above.
“These are the games you want to play. If we come through these last few matches as we expect then we’ll be in a good position come finals.
“Birkalla want the NPL Finals spot, we need the points. They’re an organised group and we need to try to play the game we have been lately – based on possession and work rate. We want to continue our recent momentum.”
Birkalla lost top spot following a loss to Croydon. Yet a 4-0 triumph against Adelaide Comets last Saturday meant it returned to the summit ahead of West Adelaide.
Coach Steve Degiovaniello was pleased with his team’s response.
“A loss was not a fair reflection against Croydon, it was an even game. I think a draw would have been fair,” he said.
“The loss was probably a good thing as the boy’s responded well last weekend.
“It was a professional performance. Comets made things difficult in the first half, but I thought we were in control and always looked like we would win. It was a thorough showing.”
The leaders opened up a three point advantage last week and are five clear of third placed Croydon. Birkalla faces a tough run home, with three opponents currently in the top six and two fighting to avoid relegation.
It starts this week against the Red Devils, but Degiovaniello remains confident.
“The position we finish in is not something we are thinking of. We go into each game hoping to do well and the table will take care of itself.
“I’m confident coming into these games. This group gets up for the big ones. It’s probably the ‘easier’ games in which we struggle.
“Campbelltown are a quality side on a good run. They will be dangerous at home and have momentum. But my team is fearless – they’ll go there and do what they have to.”
Article by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta
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