West Adelaide holds a slight advantage over Adelaide Blue Eagles after a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Major Semi Final in the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia at Marden Sports Complex on Saturday.

Kym Harris converted an early penalty to put the home side ahead, but Tom Briscoe’s equaliser gives West the away goals edge.

Blue Eagles was aided by goalkeeper Pedram Sourjani pulling off a string of fine saves and coach Gianluca Lagati was happy after an illness-hit preparation.

“We started well and got the goal. Then we dropped a bit too much and they scored. The second half was a bit better and while West had more chances, we could have scored,” he said.

“I’ll admit we were a little lucky. Pedram saved us five or six times. I’m happy because we had 10 players with gastro during the week. It was a worry. We had to survive.

“I’m confident for the next match. We need a goal, we have to wait and be smart. We got more points away than at home this season, so it won’t be a problem. I give West Adelaide a 60 percent chance and us 40 percent.”

The Blue and Whites could have taken a greater advantage into the second leg, captain Eli Vlassis admitted.

“We took a while to get going. After that the intensity was good and we kept the ball well,” he stated.

“Their goalkeeper was fantastic. We had possession and chances and perhaps could have been more clinical in taking them. However, Blue Eagles were solid at the back so credit to them.

“Paul [Pezos] said ‘well done’ afterwards, now we want to have a good week on the track. We go into every game with the intention to win and we know what is at stake next week.”

The home side was handed a golden opportunity to open the scoring after Fortunato Filletti was bundled over inside the penalty area in the sixth minute. Harris accepted to blast Blue Eagles into the lead.

West netted a crucial away goal just past the half hour as Alex Rideout cut the ball back for Briscoe’s simple finish from close range.

The minor premiers came close to taking the lead when Vlassis crossed for Briscoe, but his header was tipped over by Sourjani. The goalkeeper was playing through the pain after aggravating a knock picked up a week earlier against Port Adelaide Pirates.

Harris shaved the crossbar with a free kick at the other end, while West’s John Karatzas fired just wide from distance approaching the half time whistle.

Rideout went around Sourjani but was forced wide and when the winger steadied he saw his shot parried by the Blue Eagles custodian.

West was in control as it searched for a second away goal. Karatzas, however, could not beat Sourjani, who did well to save a shot that swerved viciously.

The goalkeeper was a one-man Blue Eagles wall as he soared to tip Ricardo da Silva’s free kick behind for a corner.

Briscoe showed neat footwork to fashion when surrounded by blue shirts, only to fire at Sourjani.

The home side had one final chance, but Hirofumi Kochi’s cross was directed over the top by substitute Anthony Dimas as he came under pressure from the West Adelaide defence.

Article by Luca Cetta - @l_Cetta