Adelaide Blue Eagles v West Torrens Birkalla
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia Round 14 

When: Saturday, June 11. Kick-off 3pm
Where: Marden Sports Complex, Lower Portrush Road, MARDEN 

Teams: 

Adelaide Blue Eagles: Hamish Mccabe, Antoni Panagoulias, 2. Adam Harris, 4. Christopher Atsikbasis, 7. Jean-Claude Boyokino, 9. Fortunato Filletti, 13. Alemayo Kebede, 14. John Solari, 15. Samuel Tesfagabr, 16. Matthew Charalambous, 17. Matthew Dawber, 19. Marco Balsamo, 20. Anthony Dimas, 23. Hirofumi Kochi 

West Torrens Birkalla: 1. Julian Torresan (C) (GK), 2. Michael Mangafakis, 4. Tom Dittmar, 5. Scott Nagel, 6. Lawrence D'Arrigo, 7. Fumiya Suzuki, 9. Andrew Ciarla, 10. Paul Radice, 11. Ryan Yates, 12. Taro Kawamura, 13. William Plush, 20. Patrick Pietrosanti, 24. Ian Kamau, 28. Adam Le Cornu, 80. John-Paul Cirillo 

Form: 

Adelaide Blue Eagles: L W W 

Round 11: Campbelltown City 1-0 Adelaide Blue Eagles, Steve Woodcock Sports Centre
Round 12: Adelaide Blue Eagles 2-1 Adelaide United, Marden Sports Complex

Round 13: Adelaide Olympic 4-5 Adelaide Blue Eagles, Elite Systems Football Centre 

West Torrens Birkalla: W L W 

Round 11: Raiders 0-1 West Torrens Birkalla, Croatian Sports Centre
Round 12: Campbelltown City 1-0 West Torrens Birkalla, Steve Woodcock Sports Centre
Round 13: West Torrens Birkalla 2-0 Adelaide United, Jack Smith Park

Preview:

Just three points separates Adelaide Blue Eagles and West Torrens Birkalla ahead of their Round 14 PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia meeting at Marden Sports Complex this Saturday. 

Adelaide Blue Eagles, fifth, is within striking distance of Birkalla following a see-sawing 5-4 victory over Adelaide Olympic. The victory meant the Marden club has recorded consecutive wins for the first time since March. 

Marco Balsamo called it an important result. 

“It was a crazy game. We played well for 65 minutes then switched off. We got a bit slack and credit to Olympic as they stayed in the game,” he said.

“It was an important result for us. Our form has been a bit inconsistent and it was disappointing to be knocked out of the Cup. 

“A win here and we can build. Consistency has been our biggest issue this season.” 

Blue Eagles hold a four-point advantage over the four-pronged chasing pack led by MetroStars, but are targeting a tilt at a double chance position. 

However, Balsamo knows they will have to get past a dangerous opponent. 

“It’s a big game. They have been strong all year, but it’s at Marden and we don’t want them taking points. A win will set us up for the rest of the year. 

“Birkalla are good going forward. They have quick players and we have to be wary. They are proving last year was not a once-off. But we are dangerous going forward and if we put our chances away we can get the result.” 

West Torrens Birkalla has charged into third position following four victories in its past five matches. The Eagles added to the streak by downing Adelaide United 2-0 last weekend. 

John-Paul Cirillo said continuing to pick up points is imperative. 

“It was a good win in tough conditions. It was good to get the result,” he said. 

“We dominated most of the game, but finishing is a factor for us. Defensively we are strong, but up front is the issue. We are creating, but not finishing our chances. 

“Every week it is important to pick up points. It’s tight at the moment, so one slip-up and the teams below can jump up.”

Aiding Birkalla’s charge is a league-best defence. Steve De Giovanniello’s team has conceded just three goals in the past eight matches and only 10 overall. 

Blue Eagles were just one of three teams to put more than a goal past Birkalla as it ended 2-2 back in March and Cirillo is expecting another tough game. 

“We defend as a unit. We aren’t going out there thinking about being the best defence, but are gelling as a unit.

“This game is another opportunity to prove where we are. It will be tough, they are strong at home. We have to keep going as we have been, be attacking minded and do the job defensively.”

Written by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta