Adelaide Comets v MetroStars
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia Round 15

When: Saturday, May 30^th. Kick-Off 3:00pm
Where: Santos Stadium, 147 Railway Terrace, MILE END

Teams:

Adelaide Comets: 18 T. Balomenos, 11 J. Bladen, 6 M. Daly, 29 T. Desclaux, J. Friel, D. Guerrera, 2 Z. Hristodoulopoulos, 7 J. Karatzas, L. Kolundzija, 12 E. Ramos, 66 P. Sourjani, A. Stamatelopoulos, 4 M. Tesema, 15 S. Tesfagabr, 14 S. Warne, r23 D. Zerillo, 1 D. Newall

MetroStars: 18 F. Barbiero, 22 S. Campagnale, 7 M. D Aloisio, 12 A. Dyer, 3 A. Jakob, 2 D. Menechella, 16 A. Orphanou, 1 C. Piantadosi, 19 J. Polisena, 14 S. Simic, 23 T. Theodorou, 15 L. Wooding, 20 D. Godley, 6 A. Solagna, 8 R. Callisto, 9 S. Grelli

Form:

Adelaide Comets: W W W

Round 12: Adelaide Comets 4 South Adelaide 3, Santos Stadium
Round 13: West Adelaide 1 Adelaide Comets 2, Adelaide Shores Football Centre
Round 14: Para Hills Knights 0 Adelaide Comets 1, The Paddocks

MetroStars: W W D

Round 12: Port Adelaide Pirates 0 MetroStars 4, Pirate Park
Round 13: MetroStars 2 Modbury Jets 2, TK Shutter Reserve
Round 14: MetroStars 1 Croydon Kings 1, TK Shutter Reserve

Preview:

Adelaide Comets and MetroStars are playing for more than just three points when they clash in Round 15 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia. They’re separated by just two points and this could set the tone for a strong half for either one of these teams.

It’s a pretty clear picture for Comets and their Captain Steven Warner who talked about the cutthroat nature of such a competitive league.

“Obviously it’s very tight in the top six at the moment so if you lose a game, you go all the way down out of the six and if you win you stay near the top so it makes this week very important.”

Warner didn’t have a bad word when speaking about his opponent and he is confident his side can rise to match their well respected opponents.

“They’re obviously a good side and have been one for many years so to only lose 1-0 at their ground previously, we’re definitely aiming to get the points back at our home ground and I definitely think we can get the points.”

And while Comets’ home hasn’t been a happy hunting ground, Warner is confident that can be fixed.

“We’ve actually won more games away but our home ground always helps. Santos is a nice pitch; it promotes the way we want to play by putting the ball and keeping it on the ground so hopefully it means we can get a good start.”

One man who will do everything he can to prevent that is MetroStars’ Senior Coach Michael Pirone. He’s not afraid of a challenge after facing many throughout 2015.

“This little period we got at the moment, we’re playing teams who are just above us or just below us so I think the competition is as even as it has been for a long time and this time of the year becomes even more crucial because teams have injuries and suspensions and this where teams are stretched.”

Pirone noted what might give his side an edge over others in these tough times.

“I’m very confident in the players I’ve got, I do have a lot of experience there and I’m hoping that will take us through the other side of this period and will be ready come finals time.”

While Pirone said his front half needed some improvement, he was confident the numbers behind his side’s defence say his side can get the win.

“Out of those 16 goals we’ve conceded, 9 came in three of those games so it gives you an idea of how tight we have been over the last 7 or 8 weeks which has made me happy.”

Article by Matthew Carcich - @Matt_Carcich