R6 Preview: Para Hills Knights v White City
Para Hills v White City
South Australia PlayStation4 National Premier League Round 6
When: Saturday, March 14th. Kick-off 3pm
Where: The Paddocks, Bridge Road, PARA HILLS
Teams:
Para Hills: 23 T. Bailey, 16 B. De Bono, 11 S. Emmanuel, RGK N. Guglielmucci, B. Head, 15 L. Lawley, 5 T. Leahy, 7 F. Likouras, 10 F. Marafioti, 6 M. Marchioro, 20 J. Mottram, 4 Y. Nagai, GK T. Ramsey, 2 C. Sullivan, 22 J. Tripodi, 13 B. Truscott, 17 S. Ward, 12 J. Williams, 19 J. Wyten
White City: 12 J. Abadia, 5 J. Atkinson, 13 L. Barr, 10 C. Bugeja, 9 H. Fombason, 14 S. Gluscevic, GK T. Hara, 8 M. Keens, 7 N. Mileusnic, GK J. Negrean, 17 C. Noujaim, 11 M. Petkovic, 20 S. Semiz, 4 M. Tosic, GK H. Wilson, 3 P. Wilson, 18 Y. Yamaguchi, 16 J. Zawko
Form:
Para Hills: L W L
Round 3: West Torrens Birkalla 3-2 Para Hills, Jack Smith Park
Round 4: Para Hills 4-3 Raiders, The Paddocks
Round 5: Adelaide City 4-1 Para Hills, Adelaide City Park
White City: L W L
Round 3: White City 1-4 Adelaide Blue Eagles, Frank Mitchell Park
Round 4: South Adelaide 0-2 White City, O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex
Round 5: White City 0-1 West Adelaide, Frank Mitchell Park
Preview:
Both Para Hills and White City are looking to return to the winners list when they meet in Round 6 of the South Australia PlayStation4 National Premier League at The Paddocks on Saturday.
Para Hills opened their season account against Raiders, but fell 4-1 to Adelaide City on Monday despite taking the lead.
Frank Marafioti admits losing four of the first five games has been a disappointing start to the year.
“Against Adelaide City it was the classic game of two halves. We had their measure in the first but could have put more away. That was frustrating and we knew they’d come out firing in the second. It was even for a time, then they steamrolled us,” he said.
“It has been disappointing. It’s frustrating as we feel we could have taken points and gotten more wins than what we have. Some games we have given up leads.”
The Knights finished last season strongly to avoid relegation, but theirs was the worst defence. They have already conceded 16 goals ahead of what is being viewed as a must win game against White City.
“I think we can improve as a group, it’s not one person or position. We need to stick together and show unity on the park for 90 minutes,” Marafioti claimed.
“We are working on defending as a unit, but I’m not too worried. I believe we will come good. Sooner we do and get wins on the board we’ll be flying.
“It’s a ‘six pointer’ against White City. We are focused on beating them, especially being at home.”
White City also gained three points over the weekend, but then fell to West Adelaide by a single goal.
Coach Sergio Melta says his side is ever-improving.
“It was a competitive game and we took it up to them in the first half. We were confident, but one lapse let them take a quick free kick and we paid the price. We measured up well with West,” Melta declared.
“We are improving every week. It has been a slow start, but with changes it takes time. Players need to be accountable – we are getting there, but there is a lot of football to be played.
“I think we need to improve our final ball, but we are working on that and it has improved from where it was at the start.”
Another area of improvement has been in defence. White City have conceded a solitary goal in the last 180 minutes, having given up nine in three matches prior.
Melta hopes that improvement will aid them against Para Hills.
“We were concerned, but have made some adjustments. It takes a while to get an understanding going and we now have a good combination in the back four.
“This will be a dangerous game. They will want to win too after a few losses.
“Para Hills pushed Adelaide City and will want to make amends for the loss. We have to be sure we concentrate and do our job.”
Tune in to the match on 1629AM or LISTEN ONLINE - you can also download the 1629 Adelaide app for free.
This match will be live streamed via the South Australian PlayStation4 National Premier League website.
View HERE
Article by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta
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