R1 Preview: Croydon Kings v MetroStars SC
Croydon v MetroStars
South Australia PlayStation4 National Premier League Round 1
When: Wednesday, February 11th. Kick-off 7pm
Where: Adelaide Shores Football Centre, West Beach Road, WEST BEACH
Teams:
Croydon: 1. Nicholas Munro, 2. John Panagaris, 4. Michael Doyle, 5. Luke Klimek, 6. Nathan Farrell, 7. Shaun McGreevy, 8. Rocky Visconte, 9. Andrea Wiens, 10. Christopher Pepe, 11. Frank Violi, 12. Dion Gazetta, 13. Joseph Puturieri, 14. Steven Pepper, 15. Fabian Rinaldo, 16. Peter Mercurio, 17. Antony Boccaccio, 18. Jarrod Brazzale, 19. Lewis May, 20. Mohammd Kamara, 21. Sam Georgiadis. 22. Costa Zacharopoulos (GK)
MetroStars: 20. Daniel Godley (GK), 1. Callum Piantadosi (GK), 2. David Menechella, 3. Stefan Cali, 4. Matthew Deegan, 6. Anthony Solagna, 7. Michael D’Aloisio, 8. Rocky Callisto, 9. Joseph Polisena, 10. Perry Mitris, 11. Scott Tunbridge, 12. Christian Esposito, 14. Alex Cosmidis, 15. Liam Wooding, 16. Andrew Orphanou, 17. Linus Johnston, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Steven Grelli, 21. Adam Van Dommele, 22. Sam Campagnale, 23. Terry Theodorou
Form:
Croydon: N/A
MetroStars: N/A
Preview:
The new South Australia PlayStation4 National Premier League (NPL) season starts with a bang and a repeat of the 2014 Grand Final as champions Croydon and runners-up MetroStars clash at Adelaide Shores Football Centre on Wednesday.
Croydon claimed their first League championship since 1977 when they defeated MetroStars in last season’s decider and the Kings are looking forward to defending their crown in 2015.
Rocky Visconte says the new season represents a different challenge for Mark Brazzale’s side.
“Our aim is to improve. We won the championship but didn’t come top after 26 games so we want to improve on last year,” he said.
“It’s easy to get to the top, but harder to stay top. I think the squad has improved. Although we lost a few key players we have kept most of the guys and added Michael Doyle and Steven Pepper.”
Croydon succumbed to Adelaide City in last week’s season opening Charity Cup, but Visconte says they have an opportunity to get the new League campaign off to a good start.
“I thought it was an even game on Friday, unfortunately after we scored they equalised straight away. We lost but it’s forgotten and we are looking forward to MetroStars on Wednesday.
“Pre-season has been alright, yet a bit disrupted due to injuries. That’s football and something you have to deal with.
“We know MetroStars will be well organised as always and it will be a tough game for us. It will tell us what level we’re at.
“We want to start with three points.”
Fresh from winning the 2014 PlayStation4 NPL Championship, there’s change at TK Shutter Reserve as last season’s assistant coach Michael Pirone takes over from Ivan Karlovic.
The new boss is seeking evolution rather than a revolution, but says pre-season preparations have not been ideal.
“We started later than normal due to the PlayStation4 NPL Finals Series” Pirone noted.
“The boys have recovered and while a later start may be counterproductive in the short-term, in the long run it may work out. In saying that they’re ahead of where I thought they’d be.
“Ivan and I had a good understanding. I want to continue down the same path, but with my stamp. My thought is that strikers win games, but defenders win championships. I’m interested in what we do off the ball, but we also have firepower in attack. The changes to the squad freshens it up.”
MetroStars were minor premiers in 2014 and while enjoying national success, were pipped to the South Australian crown.
Pirone is not setting any goals as his team prepares for Croydon.
“We have always been protagonists and our desire is to go far. We cannot be complacent due to the NPL success.
“I’d be lying if I said the Grand Final wasn’t in the back of our minds. Croydon have quality, Mark has done an outstanding job with what is a young side.
“It’s exciting to start the season with this match.”
Article by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta
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