TeleChoice Championship Series Preliminary Finals Preview
Somewhat fittingly, the Top-Three from the TeleChoice Premier League regular season competition remain in the hunt for Championship Finals Series success as Wollongong FC await the winner of Sutherland Sharks and Sydney Olympic this weekend for the Grand-Final showdown at Penrith?s CUA Stadium one-week later.
Following the extra-time defeat against the Wolves last weekend, Sutherland Sharks need to quickly exorcise the demons that have followed them since the Round 19 loss against Blacktown City. On that day Brian Brown?s men suffered their first loss of the season, and since then, the side has only collected one win in Round 21 against West Sydney Berries.
In a complete reversal of form, the Seymour Shaw side has lost the cutting edge that dominated all adversaries for the first 18 Rounds of the competition.
Brian Brown will hope for more of the same from creative midfielder Nick Stavroulakis, one of only few bright points from the loss against the Wolves last weekend.
Much of the Sharks? success have arrived from the wide-men with Michael Katz and Jim Bakis the most effective in the wider positions. Neil Jablonski?s presence behind front-man Brad Boardman was a missing ingredient against the Wolves, an element that the Sharks will need to be ?on song? against Sydney Olympic for any success.
In what was a ‘Man of the Match’ performance from Sharks midfielder Nick Stavroulakis against Wollongong last weekend, his services again will be needed in the middle of the park in thwarting any Blues attack.
Up-front, Boardman will be backing himself to find the back of the net if he receives the supply ? the striker?s hassle last weekend led to the Sharks? opening goal for Jim Bakis.
Sydney Olympic on the other-hand will enter the encounter with less pressure as Sutherland?s reputation of ?dominators? has slipped drastically. The Blues, who have had a strong finish to the campaign following a mid-season slump, have cleverly ?made-do? with the loss of key players through suspension and, above all, the loss of Shannon Cole to Sydney FC.
The Blues have found a more than capable substitute to carry the free-kick duties as Chris Triantis provided two pin-point efforts for Paul Wither to score twice against Manly United.
Milan Blagojevic?s side carries much strength in the defensive line, boosted greatly by the exceptional return to the playing field of goalkeeper Michael Herbert.
The shot-stopper, who has been out through injury, played through the minor semi-final win with the flu; saving miraculously on three occasions to see his side through to the Preliminary Final.
In the middle of the park Milorad Simonovic should be given the ?free pass? to wander forward as Siraj Al-Tall seems to be in-favour for a starting spot following two strong showings over the last two weekends.
Paul Wither?s goal-scoring exploits are an added bonus; the attacking midfielder possesses great strength and speed that has caused much grief for opposing defences.
Despite holding the home surface advantage, Sydney Olympic face the Sharks at the worst possible moment for the home-side as their confidence has been dealt a tough hand in recent weeks.
With the sides having met four times this season, the Blues hold a 2-1 advantage with victories arriving in the Johnny Warren Cup Final and the Tiger Turf Cup semi-final ? both matches played at Seymour Shaw.
TeleChoice Championship Series
Preliminary Final
Sutherland Sharks v Sydney Olympic at 7:30pm
Saturday 30th August 2008 at Seymour Shaw Park
-By Joseph Carlucci
