West Torrens Birkalla v Adelaide Olympic
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia Round 4

When: Saturday 19 March, Kick-Off 7:00 PM
Where: Elite Systems Football Centre; 46 Cowan Street, Angle Park

Teams:

Adelaide Olympic: Gino De Lucia (GK), George Hristakopoulos, Oliver Totani, Fausto Erba, Jairus Wyten (C), Matthew Bouzalas, David Signore, John Giannitto, Manni Katopodis, George Aslanidis, Sean Brennan, David Makridis, Christos Pounendis, Anastas Kristoa

West Torrens Birkalla: 1. Julian Torresan (C) (GK), 3. Kurtis Rowe, 4. Tom Dittmar, 5. Scott Nagel, 6. Lawrence D'Arrigo, 7. Fumiya Suzuki, 8. Christopher Skull, 10. Paul Radice, 12. Taro Kawamura, 14. Haris Vuckic, 23. David Thornton, 24. Ian Kamau, 28. Adam Le Cornu, 80. John-Paul Cirillo

Form:

Adelaide Olympic: L L D

Round 1: West Adelaide 4-1 Adelaide Olympic
Round 2: Adelaide Blue Eagles 4-0 Adelaide Olympic
Round 3: Adelaide Olympic 3-3 Adelaide City

West Torrens Birkalla: L W D

Round 1: WT Birkalla 0-2 Campbeltown City
Round 2: Adelaide United 1-3 WT Birkalla
Round 3: WT Birkalla 2-2 Adelaide Blue Eagles

Preview:

In Round 4, West Torrens Birkalla and Adelaide Olympic collide in a confrontation with the potential to improve, or dissuade either teams' chance of success, this season.

The match, this Saturday, pits the newly promoted against the well established, in a game that could turn the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia on it's head.

Presently, West Torrens Birkalla are seventh, while Adelaide Olympic are second bottom, but all that could change with a win, which could raise either team four places.

The two teams drew last week - Birkalla 2-2 Blue Eagles, Olympic 4-4 Adelaide City – but, Adelaide Olympic will be playing for one result, says Sean Brennan of Olympic.

"This game will be just as tough as our last three... but I think we are adapting to the league.

"We have a good squad and we'll continue to work hard to find a win.

"If we get things right, the wins will come."

Brennan, 25, scored two of Olympic's four goals last week, in what was a "season changing performance", where they (Olympic) reemerged from 4-3 down, with an equaliser at 86 minutes.

The team are blessed with sound experience, young and old, and Brennan thinks they – the experienced players – will be important for the team this year, if the club are to thrive in the top division.

"The experience is crucial, we've got a lot of new players this year that haven't played together … they're all fitting together very well.

"These players will play huge roles in our team, they're not only important for the team, but for the future of our club."

Although the team's first two games weren't of the quality Olympic are aiming for, Brennan says the desire at the club will sprout potent success', this year.

"Our first two performances weren't good enough, but we'll continue to work hard on the track and [hopefully] find some winning form.

"Our boys have shown, for good periods of games, we can have some of the best teams on the back foot.
If we keep working hard, the wins will come."

Last week attested to that, and Brennan, after returning from suspension the week prior, played a huge part in the team's late game turn-around.

He says, it was his mission to redeem his lapse in discipline, for the team.

"For me, and for the team ... it was important to bounce back and show my team I can be a leader.

"Scoring those two goals made me feel like I'd really made a difference for the team and club.

"It was a good feeling!"

In anticipation of a hard fought bout, John Paul Cirillo of WT Birkalla says, Olympic won't be underestimated this week.

"They're a new team, but we're expecting a fight, and in the premier league they'll be out to prove a point," he says.

"We need to be switched on from the star, because there's one thing that we're sure of … any team can match up with any team, and we know every game will be different, so we prepare for it during the week.

"We need to be switched on from the start, and we've got to have control of the game early."

Birkalla are a team of high gauge fighters, but after four yellow cards last week, discipline could be a problem for the team.

But that would be jumping to conclusions, says Cirillo, 25, the team have no disciplinary problems, they just love high octane football.

"Discipline isn't a problem for us.

"When you play the game at high intensities, in a competitive league, then cards are going to come out at some point – it's inevitable, to avoid certain outcomes in a game."

After last week's game, Birkalla were left unsatisfied with tying at home, and this week, they will be looking to grasp a win, though they are wary of Olympic.

"You can never be fully happy with a point, especially at home.

"You always want to win but, the game [last week] could have gone either way, both of us had plenty of the ball.

"A point was probably the deserved result for both teams.

"They [Olympic] are a new team, and they'll be out to prove themselves, like last week [against Adelaide City]."

The 2015 semifinalists won't settle for seventh – their current position on the ladder – either, keenly aware that early points can be absolutely priceless ahead of a long season.

"Both teams are desperate for points, we know this and we have to be prepared mentally, and physically.

"It's a long season, but racking up points early is very important … sitting at seventh is not where we want to be, but remembering it's only round four, champions aren't crowned in four games.

"We as a club aim for finals, and silverware."

Expect a high speed, breakneck game of football this Saturday, where two teams with everything to lose clash at the Elite Systems Football Centre.

Written by Christian Fleetwood