West Adelaide v MetroStars

PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia - Round 21

When: Saturday, August 6th Kick-off 3pm
Where: Adelaide Shores Football Centre

Teams:

West Adelaide: 1. Daniel Atkins (GK), 4. Jack Yull, 5. Robin Lippett, 6. Elias Vlassis (C), 7. Joseph Wright, 10. Ricardo Da Silva, 11. Thomas Briscoe, 12. Osman Fofana, 13. Hikaru Tanaka, 14. Nathan Andijanto, 15. Sam Shoemark, 16. Alexandros Koutoulogenis, 17. Perry Mitris, 18. Yiannis Nestoras, 19. John Karatzas, 20. Tony Hatzis, 21. Toshihiro Hara, 22. Michael Alexandrou, 23. Mitchell Nicholson

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

Form:

West Adelaide: L L W

Round 18: Blue Eagles 2 - 0 West Adelaide, Marden Sports Centre.
Round 19: West Adelaide 2 - 4 West Torrens Birkalla, Adelaide Shores Football Centre
Round 20: South Adelaide 0 - 1 West Adelaide, O’Sullivans Beach Sports and Community Centre

MetroStars: L W W

Round 18: South Adelaide 2 - 1 MetroStars, O’Sullivans Beach Sports and Community Centre
Round 19: Adelaide Olympic 0 - 4 MetroStars, Elite Systems Football Centre
Round 20: MetroStars 2 - 1 Croydon Kings, TK Shutter Reserve

Preview:

West Adelaide will welcome MetroStars to the Adelaide Shores Football Centre this weekend, with a sixth place finish still a possibility if results fall their way in round 21 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia.

With two rounds remaining in an unpredictable season, Paul Pezos will have his fingers crossed that his chargers can get the job done over a MetroStars side fresh from their gallant display in their mid-week Westfield FFA Cup appearance against Bentleigh Greens.

West Adelaide have failed to get any consistency with their peak and trough performances all season. They more than matched the two league leaders, Adelaide City and Campbelltown when they last met, but lapses in concentration against the lower sides in the competition have cost them vital points, a reflection of where they sit on the ladder.

The West Adelaide defence has been bolstered by the return of Eli Vlasiss, but they will require more output from their midfielders in Ricardo Da Silva, Hikaru Tanaka and the experienced Tony Hatzis if they are to have any chance to steal the points. While up front they have failed to find an influential sharp shooter to turn a game their way when required.

The hosts will front up against a MetroStars side bruised and battered after their 120-minute mid-week epic. The question will be asked of MetroStars if they can get through another ninety minutes of hard physical football. Metro will have to front up without their attacking winger Liam wooding who was red carded in their FFA Cup fixture, the loss may open the door for the talented Stefan Simic to be promoted into the starting eleven.

MetroStars have been the form side in the back half of the season and West Adelaide will have their hands full trying to quell the influence of MetroStars marauding quartet Fabian Barbiero, Anthony Solagna, Stefan Simic and Rocky Callisto. If the Metro midfielders can get enough quality balls forward it will give Travis Dodd, the opportunity to show his class in front of goal. The veteran has built up good form late in the season, and will be a handful for Lippett and Co. in the West Adelaide defence.

MetroStars boast one of the strongest defences going around, which is superbly led by Michael D’Alosio, and well supported by the bullish Tim Henderson, the attacking Justin Davis and the stylish Adam Van Domelle.

Robbie Saraceno has implemented a game style since taking the reins at Metro that a lot of the teams in the competition have struggled to counter, a challenge West Adelaide will face first hand.

If results go to form, a MetroStars victory will see them leap frog Comets into fourth place with a round to go, while for West Adelaide the three points will keep them on track for a “probable” sixth place finish

Written by: Joe Pangallo