Adelaide Blue Eagles v West Adelaide
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia Round 20

When: Saturday, July 4^th. Kick-off 3pm
Where: Marden Sports Complex, Lower Portrush Road, MARDEN

Teams:

Adelaide Blue Eagles: 5 C. Annicchiarico, S. Annicchiarico, 4 C. Atsikbasis, 19 M. Balsamo, 7 J. Boyokino, M. Charalambous, 8 D. Crettenden, M. Dawber, 20 A. Dimas, 9 F. Filletti, 2 A. Harris, 18 K. Harris, S. Hutton-Addy, 13 A. Kebede, 23 H. Kochi, N. Niutta, 6 P. Piantedosi, 22 A. Rastovac, J. Shyti, P. Sourjani

West Adelaide: N. Andijanto, D. Atkins, M. Bouzalas, T. Briscoe, R. Da Silva, T. Hatzis, R. Lippett, K. Mantis, L. Moss, M. Nicholson, A. Rideout, A. Taye, M. Tosic, L. Vallelonga, T. Veart, C. Verbi, E. Vlassis, J. Wright

Form:

Adelaide Blue Eagles: L W W 

Round 17: Croydon 4-1 Adelaide Blue Eagles, Polonia Reserve
Round 18: Adelaide Blue Eagles 2-0 South Adelaide, Marden Sports Complex
Round 19: Adelaide Blue Eagles 2-0 Adelaide Comets, Marden Sports Complex

West Adelaide: W D L

Round 17: Adelaide City 2-3 West Adelaide, Adelaide City Park
Round 18: West Adelaide 1-1 White City, Adelaide Shores Football Complex
Round 19: South Adelaide 3-2 West Adelaide, O’Sullivan Beach Sports Complex

Preview:

It’s third hosting second as Adelaide Blue Eagles meet West Adelaide in a pivotal Round 20 clash in the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia at Marden Sports Complex on Saturday.

Blue Eagles have recovered from a shaky period in which they picked up just two points from a possible 12 to have triumphed in the last two encounters.

Having defeated South Adelaide and Adelaide Comets, striker Kym Harris says confidence is slowly returning.

“It was a tough game and good to get a win. It’s never easy against Comets and we hadn’t exactly been in the best form beforehand,” Harris noted.

“Our confidence is returning, although we were probably expected to win those matches. We have a proper test coming up.”

Gianluca Lagati’s team is sitting just three points behind West Adelaide. However there is also pressure from below, with Croydon Kings within striking distance.

Harris says climbing the ladder is still Blue Eagles goal as they prepare for a decisive encounter against West.

“We are only four points from first place, so that is definitely the aim. And finishing in the top two is crucial for when you get to Finals. We’ve got to keep winning, but just take it one week at a time.

“It’s a big game this Saturday; they have some really good players. We have got to be on our game to beat them.

“West are three points ahead of us. If we win we’ll jump them, while if we lose we are six behind. So it is do or die in that regard.”

West Adelaide has faltered in recent weeks to drop to second spot. A draw with White City was followed by a defeat versus South Adelaide.

Rob Lippett called the recent results a wake-up call.

“South played well. It was an even game and we know theirs is a tough place to travel. It wasn’t our day, but credit to them,” the defender said.

“I think the break came at the right time. It allowed players to get over niggling injuries and fatigue. Having said that, we haven’t taken it easy at training.

“It was a wake-up call. There aren’t many games left and all are must win. We are in the position we’re in for a reason, but we still have a chance to get back.”

West has had the chance to reflect on its recent form and knows the importance of this meeting with Blue Eagles.

Lippett says the team remains confident of success this season.

“I don’t think we were relentless and ruthless enough in the final third. It’s not as if we were playing poorly, but some matches haven’t gone our way recently.

“Yet we are confident we can turn it around and can claim the championship this season.

“The Blue Eagles game is a six pointer, we’ve spoken about that. We will look to do better in the final third. We also have to keep out their danger men at the other end.”

Article by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta