Adelaide United v Adelaide Blue Eagles
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia Round 1

When: Sunday, February 28^th, kick-off 5:00pm
Where: Elite Systems Football Centre, 43 Cowan Street, ANGLE PARK

Teams:

Adelaide United:  1. D. Margush, 2. Z. Gomez, 3. R. Tongyik, 4. J. Pudler, 5. T. Stokes, 6. J. Elliott, 8. J. O'Doherty, 9. N. Polli, 10. D. Smith, 12. M. Ochieng, 14. B. Carpenter, 15. B. Warland, 17. C. Maina, 18. J. Koutroumbis, 19. A. Maiolo, 20. I. Richards, 21. P. Wilson, 22. R. Mcgree, 30. J. Hall (GK)

Adelaide Blue Eagles: A. Harris, S. Altundag, M. Balsamo, J. Boyokino, M. Catford (GK), M. Charalambous, D. Crettenden, M. Dawber, A. Dimas, F. Filletti, C. Atsikbasis (C), A. Kebede, H. Kochi, E. Kounavelis, N. Niutta, A. Rastovac, J. Shyti, P. Sourjani, S. Tesfagabr, A. Trimboli

Preview:

The tune “Macho Macho Man” made famous by the Village People, will be ringing through the Adelaide United change rooms before the Baby Reds make their debut in the Play Station 4 National Premier League South Australia on Sunday afternoon at Elite Systems Football Centre.

Adelaide United Coach Mark Jones admitted during the week his sides biggest challenge will be coming up against men, men that have been playing in this league for a number of years, even some that have played professionally here and overseas.

But he was more than confident that his young group would be competitive in this year’s competition.

United attacking midfielder Jordan O’Doherty, echoed his mentor’s optimism. He was also quick to issue a stern warning for those thinking that United will be the easy beats of the league.

“What we lack in experience we will make up with our fitness. We will be the fittest team in the competition this year, and we will be running over the opposition teams late in games” O’Doherty said.

Adelaide can boast some A-League talent in their squad in the likes of Ben Warland, John Hall, Mark Ochieng and Dylan Smith, which will give the team some balance and stability.

Adelaide United come up against an Adelaide Blue Eagles outfit still hurting after being bundled out of last year’s Grand Final. Defender Chris Atsikabasis is hell bent on getting his team off to a winning start to the season.

“Missing out on the Grand Final win has put fire in our bellies, and we are looking for some redemption in 2016” Atsikabasis said.

Adelaide Blue Eagles have lost their goal scoring machine Kym Harris, who has moved to Hume City in the Play Station 4 National Premier League Victoria in the post season. They received a double blow when it was learnt that Christopher Annicchiarico would miss the entire 2016 season with an ACL knee injury.

Atsikabasis believes they can cover the loss of Annicchiarico with the young talented defender Nathan Nuitta, who has been impressive during the preseason games.

Former Adelaide United Youth team members Antoni Trimboli and Samed Altundang will line up against their old team mates when they pull on the Blue Eagles jumper on Sunday, hoping to kick start their promising careers.

There will no doubt be some early intimidation that the young United players will have to endure, but the fleet footed “Baby Reds” could cause some damage if allowed to roam unchecked.

On the other side of the ledger Adelaide United will have to thwart the influences of Alemayo Kebede, Yvan Boyonkino, and playmaker Damian Crettenden, to give themselves any chance of snatching early season points.

If Adelaide United can cause an upset in the opening round of the 2016 Play Station 4 Premier League against the Blue Eagles, there will be a little “Macho” in their step as they pounce off the pitch after the final whistle.

Written by Joe Pangallo - @JoJo_ontheball