TeleChoice Premier League Round 14 Preview
The Sharks are winless in their last two outings, including a rare home-loss in Round 12 against Manly United FC. Coach Robbie Stanton has the task of getting his players fired-up for this encounter, following a rather flat showing against Blacktown City Demons last weekend. The signs in attack look positive with Jim Bakis out on the right-flank and Panny Nikas, centrally, looking extremely comfortable. Nick Stavroulakis? return to top fitness levels too stand the side in good hands across the middle as goalkeeper Nathan Denham has proven his positive vein of form in recent weeks with some stellar performances.
Bankstown City?s situation is not so bright, though a win for Peter Tsekenis? men will fire the side up for a push for finals football. The Lions sit in seventh-spot on the ladder, although Sydney Olympic can surpass the side with their catch-up match on Tuesday evening (2nd of June, 2009). Most positive signs for the Lions has been the return of George Nohra to the middle of the park, as has the signing of Greg Owens who brings a mountain of experience to the club.
At Lidcombe Oval, a confident West Sydney Berries play host to a firing Manly United FC. The Berries rode their luck for much of the opening hour against Penrith-Nepean United, though certainly finished strong with Kosta Lagoudakis and Johnny Fotiadis leading the troops in a hard-fought 2-1 win. The Berries? week will be a busy one with the eagerly anticipated clash with Sydney Olympic on Tuesday evening their first concern. Coach John Calleja knows the importance of both matches over the next six-days as the side?s season ambitions will be placed under the microscope over the next 180? minutes of football.
Manly United FC players will be fresh and ready following the wash out of their Round 13 clash against Marconi Stallions. Phil Moss? team has been very impressive to-date with some fine performances built around an extremely sturdy back-line. A win for the Cromer Park side will send the team into top-spot on the League ladder ? at least for twenty-four hours, in anticipation of Sydney United?s Round 14 match ? though with a match still in hand, Manly United FC are certainly looking the goods for a strong run home this season.
At Marconi Stadium, the Stallions return to action after their Round 13 match was called off due to the weather. The Stallions, along with Manly United FC, have been the most impressive side over the month of May with some fine tactical performances delivering good results. Lee Sterrey?s selection of imports have proven a huge success to-date, as has the cohesion between a Vuko Tomasevic led defensive line and a midfield marshaled by Nahuel Arrarte.
Marconi will have their ?catch-up? match against Penrith-Nepean United on Wednesday evening, though a win there will certainly boost the side?s confidence in anticipation of their clash with Blacktown City Demons.
The Demons have been impressive in recent weeks with their younger players standing up and being noted ? Joel Chianese, Ray Miller, Matt Lewis and Chris Bedzo leading the pack. The side was desperately unlucky not to take maximum points from the Round 13 encounter with Sutherland, though the introduction of Adam Kwasnik has positively helped Ken Schembri?s cause; largely for the experience he has brought to a youthful side.
On Sunday afternoon at Leichhardt Oval, it is a must win match for both the Sydney Tigers and Penrith-Nepean United as sides risk falling too far behind to mount a late charge for finals football. The Tigers performed well against Sydney Olympic last weekend, though some poor finishing denied the side maximum points. Coach Luke McGuire will also be sweating on the fitness of playmaker Franco Parisi who left the field midway through the second-half with a leg injury.
Penrith-Nepean?s season has turned somewhat pear-shaped following a bright start. Experienced players Evangelos Petratos and Mitchell Long are expected to pull the weight of early season expectation onto their shoulders, as the younger Petratos, Dimitrios, too will be required to put together a strong showing in this must win match.
Over at Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney Olympic play host to Bonnyrigg White Eagles with the Blues expected to showcase new signing, former Socceroo, Mark Bosnich to their home supporters. The former Aston Villa, Manchester United and Chelsea shot-stopper brings in a mountain of muscle with his experience between the sticks. The Blues will be coming off a ?derby? against the Berries (Tuesday evening catch up match), and will be aiming for maximum points to put pressure on the teams above them on the ladder.
Brian Brown?s White Eagles have slowly but surely ventured their way up the League ladder, with the side sitting four-points adrift of Marconi Stallions ? prior to the Stallions catch up match. Brown will again require the fine midfield displays of Milorad Simonovic to get the strikers moving, as a new hero was found last week following the exceptional goalkeeping performance of young shot-stopper Nenad Vekic.
In the final match of the Round, Sydney United need maximum points to overturn a disappointing three weeks after the side collected one draw and two losses after an extraordinary first ten Rounds of the season.
Ante Milicic will return to the side after a brief absence with Young Socceroos coaching duties, as will former Socceroo David Zdrilic after sitting out the draw at Bankstown City through suspension.
Wollongong Community FC have failed to enthuse on the League ladder though their performances have certainly made life difficult for their opponents. WCFC were extremely impressive for large spells against Bonnyrigg last weekend, though their failure to take their chances proved their undoing. The additions of Lachlan Cahill and James Vaughan, along with James Monie in the attacking third will bolster a side that has lacked confidence thus far, as recent signs do suggest that the team from Wollongong will give adversaries a run for their money in the final part of the season.
* For a full listing of washed out fixtures and new match dates, please visit WEB Site www.footballnsw.com.au for updates.
-By Joseph Carlucci
