Adelaide Comets v MetroStars
Westfield FFA Cup Qualifying Final 

When: Saturday, June 25. Kick-off 4pm
Where: Coopers Stadium, Holden Street, HINDMARSH 

Teams: 

Adelaide Comets: 2. Guy Miller, 4. Zachary Hristodoulopoulos, 5. Kingsley Francis, 6. Jack Bladen, 7. Evan Kostopoulos, 8. Joseph Costa, 9. Steven Grelli, 10. Christopher Pepe, 11. Andreas Wiens, 13. Peter Eleftherakis, 15. Oliver Zafiridis, 18. Theo Balomenos, 19. Luke Colalancia, 21. Alexander Woodlands, 22. Allan Welsh, 23. Davide Zerillo, 25. Harry Keramidas, 33. Dyan Newall 

MetroStars: 1. Isaac Carmody, 3. Andrew Dyer, 4. Justin Davis, 5. Timothy Henderson, 6. Anthony Solagna, 7. Michael D Aloisio, 8. Rocky Callisto, 9. Jonathan Negus, 10. Liam Wooding, 12. Terry Theodorou, 13. Bailey Truscott, 14. Stefan Simic, 15. Yuki Nakaki, 16. Alexander Jakob, 17. Doni Pollock, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Joseph Polisena, 21. Adam Van Dommele (C), 22. Matthew Crooks, 23. Christian Esposito, 24. Travis Dodd, 25. Callum Piantadosi 

Form: 

Adelaide Comets: L W L 

Round 14: Adelaide Comets 0-1 West Adelaide, SA Athletics Stadium
Westfield FFA Cup Qualifying Semi-final: Adelaide Comets 2-1 Cumberland United, Adelaide Shores Football Centre
Round 15: Adelaide City 4-2 Adelaide Comets, Adelaide City Park 

MetroStars: L W W 

Round 14: Campbelltown City 2-1 MetroStars, Steve Woodcock Sports Centre
Westfield FFA Cup Qualifying Semi-final: MetroStars 3-1 Croydon, Elite Systems Football Centre
Round 15: MetroStars 3-0 Adelaide United, TK Shutter Reserve 

Preview: 

Adelaide Comets and MetroStars clash with silverware and a spot on the national stage on the line in the Westfield FFA Cup Qualifying Final at Coopers Stadium this Saturday. 

Adelaide Comets reached this stage after coming from behind to down State League One side Cumberland United 2-1. However, it has lost three of the past four PlayStation 4 National Premier League fixtures to fall to fifth position on the table. 

Coach Theo Tsiounis was disappointed with last weekend’s last-gasp 4-2 loss to Adelaide City. 

“It was disappointing. An unfortunate decision changed the game for us,” he said. 

“We conceded a few late goals, but that was not reflective of the match. We started slowly, but did well after the first 20 minutes. 

“Our form has been up and down, but we are playing well. 

“We have most players back from injury and can have a strong team this weekend.” 

Comets are preparing for their first Final, a decade after making their debut at this level. 

Tsiounis, the youngest coach in the top flight, acknowledges his team will be the outsiders on Saturday, but believes that could also help Comets. 

“We are the underdogs, whereas MetroStars are expected to win. We’ll go in and give it a crack,” he said. 

“Preparations have been the same as usual and we will try to exploit their weaknesses. 

“MetroStars are a good team with experienced guys who have been there before. We are new to this and there is not as much pressure. 

“Anything can happen. We must stay organised and disciplined. If we do that we have quality players who can change games and create chances.” 

MetroStars’ 3-0 victory over Adelaide United last weekend gave them a third victory from the past four league matches. They also enjoyed a 3-1 Semi-final success against Croydon to reach the Coopers Stadium decider. 

Coach Rob Saraceno was pleased to add to the winning run. 

“It was a positive win on Saturday. We knew we had to beat teams around us. That was our first challenge and we passed it,” he said. 

“We didn’t give them much, our defence kept them out. It was a bit sluggish, but we did enough to win.” 

MetroStars have been a constant presence in league and cup deciders in the past decade. They have lifted the Federation Cup on three occasions, most recently in 2012 as they defeated Para Hills. 

Saraceno, who led White City to the Final against Adelaide City in 2013, is hoping that experience can translate to victory. 

“We’ll keep the preparations as normal as possible. 

“We have a few players who have enjoyed success over the years, but also younger guys looking forward to their first final. Hopefully the experienced guys can transmit their knowledge. 

“Comets have a good squad and we have to be wary as they can score goals. We need to be switched on defensively. 

“I think there will be chances, so whoever is more clinical can get the result. That will be the side to win it.”

Written by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta