Adelaide City v West Adelaide
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia Round 2

When: Saturday, March 5^th. Kick-off 3pm
Where: Adelaide City Park, Corner Fosters Road & Hilltop Drive, OAKDEN

Teams:

Adelaide City: 1. R. Veitch (GK), 2. M. Acton, 3. A. Sunasky, 4. S. Tobias, 5. M. Halliday (C), 7. J. Allwright, 8. P. Blefari, 9. A. Costa, 10. N. Mileusnic, 11. N. Bucco, 12. L. Farquhar, 14. A. Orphanou, 16. G. Kolopelnyk, 17. M. Kamara, 18. J. Mori, 20. B. Moore

West Adelaide: 1. L. Moss (GK), 2. A. Haralampopoulos, 5. R. Lippett, 6. E. Vlassis (C), 7. J. Wright, 8. K. Mantis, 9. A. Rideout, 10. R. Da Silva, 11. T. Briscoe, 12. T. Veart, 13. H. Tanaka, 14. N. Andijanto, 15. R. James, 16. A. Koutoulogenis, 17. P. Mitris, 19. J. Karatzas, 20. T. Hatzis, 21. D. Atkins, 22. M. Alexandrou, 23. M. Nicholson

Form:

Adelaide City: W

Round 1: Adelaide City 4-2 Croydon, Adelaide City Park

West Adelaide: L W

FFSA Charity Cup: West Adelaide 1-2 Croydon, Elite Systems Football Centre
Round 1: West Adelaide 4-1 Adelaide Olympic, Adelaide Shores Football Centre

Preview:

Buoyed by opening round success, traditional rivals Adelaide City and West Adelaide know a big performance will be needed to triumph in Round 2 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia at Adelaide City Park this Saturday.

Adelaide City commenced its campaign with a 4-2 success over Croydon, Anthony Costa leading the way with a brace.

Nicholas Bucco says it was a confidence builder.

“I thought we played extremely well. We created a lot of chances and took them,” he stated.

“Our defensive shape and desire was where we wanted it to be.

“It was great to start with a win. We haven’t won the opening fixture for the past few years, at least since I’ve been at the club.

“Against a good opponent it was important, a confidence boosting victory.”

The Black and Whites fell short in their bid for silverware last season, although remain one of the main contenders for both crowns.

Bucco says the aim in 2016 is nothing less than success, as City faces a massive test in the form of West Adelaide this weekend.

“Trophies are the aim. We want to be winning things. It’s an important year for the club, the 70^th anniversary, and so winning is the aim.

“West Adelaide are an extremely good team with a great bunch of players. They are the title favourites. I saw them last week, they were impressive going forward. We will need to show the same resiliency as last week.

“If we keep their attack quiet, going forward we can do well. That’s the key for us.”

West Adelaide also netted four as it opened the season with maximum points against Adelaide Olympic. Alex Rideout and Ricardo Da Silva each bagged two goals.

Perry Mitris made his League debut for West and believes it was a good start for the reigning champions.

“It was a good win and start to the new campaign,” he said.

“It was a derby game and we knew they would come at us. Regardless of being champions, it’s a new season and so we wanted to get the points.

“I thought we were hungry, determined to win and looked good going forward. Conceding a goal gives us something to work on; ideally we would keep a clean sheet.”

West enjoyed dual victories over its old rival in 2015 on the way to winning the championship.

Mitris says the team will need to be at its best to down Adelaide City once more.

“They are always around the mark. It’s another derby and sure to be a fiery encounter, so we will need to be at our best.

“They are able to hurt us going forward. We will need to show belief and work hard. There needs to be a good collective effort to get the victory.

“I think it will be a game of few chances and whoever takes theirs will come out on top.”

Written by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta