RAA NPLSA Round Five Preview
Match of the Round
FK Beograd vs Cumberland United
3:00 pm | Saturday 26 March | Frank Mitchell Park
Last Meeting: (27/7/19) Round 19 State League One | Cumberland United 1 v FK Beograd 3
After a week’s break, both clubs enter Round Five refreshed and ready to pick up valuable points for their season. Cumberland United search for their first win of the season, however, must battle with an FK Beograd who have secured points against Campbelltown City and Croydon FC in their last two fixtures.
FK Beograd’s season seems to be heading in the right direction after picking up their first win of the season in Round Four against a strong Croydon FC team, winning 2-1. Jordan Pudler was able to open the scoring late in the second half as he converted his kick from the penalty spot, with Paul Radice doubling their lead against his former club five minutes later as he picked up his second goal of the season. FK Beograd will be without Chahine Noujaim in Round Five as he picked up a late red card in the final moments of the last match.
Thus far, FK Beograd hasn’t struggled to find goals, however, have now conceded ten goals in just four games. Coach Damian Mori will be in great spirits heading into this week’s fixture, after the news that he will become the interim Assistant Coach at Adelaide United FC.
FK Beograd midfielder Cristian Sotira discussed
the boys have been working extremely hard these past couple of weeks in training sessions to build on our win against Croydon FC”
Sotira further commented,
we are starting to gel as a team and will be going into the match against Cumberland United full of confidence with ambitions to take all 3 points.”
Cumberland United are desperate to record their first three points of the season after beginning their season with three losses and one draw. In their last match, Cumberland United fought hard, however, were unable to make anything of it as MetroStars recorded a 2-0 win. Scoring goals currently seems the biggest problem for Cumberland United as they head into Round Five with only three goals scored, with ten goals conceded. Round Five’s Match of the Round is a perfect opportunity for Cumberland United to attempt to get their first three points of the season, after a much-needed week off.
The Match of the Round will be important for both clubs early in the season, as they look to record valuable points to remove themselves from the bottom half of the ladder.
FK Beograd line-up: 5. Jacob Butler-Bowdon, 6. Paul Radice, 7. Jace Cummins, 8. Christian Sotira, 9. Joshua Mori, 10. Thomas Love, 11. Evan Kounavelis, 12. Antonios Natsiopoulos, 13. Deale Chamberlain (GK), 14. Isaac Mullen, 15. Massimo Falco, 16. Ninko Beric, 18. Stanisa Velinov, 19. Filimon Asefa, 20. Jordan Pudler, 21. Nikola Jokic, 22. Akok Arok, 23. Cooper Nunn
Coaches: Damian Mori, Scott Parr
Team Staff: Constantinos Tsaconas, Sachin Prakash Kumar
Cumberland United line-up: 1. Luke Schoen (GK), 2. Jack Schoen (C), 3. Joshua Harvey, 4. Daniel Ryles, 5. Sam Carmichael, 7. Rocco Visconte, 11. Charlie Ince, 12. Chol Wel, 14. Cohan Morris, 16. Brayden Micallef, 17. Riak Mayol, 19. Lansana Smith, 22. Minsung Park, 25. Jay Gillon
Coaches: Neil Young, Mathew Balopitos, Daniel Stuart, Bryn Jones
Team Staff: Jody Loomes, Sean Bushby
Campbelltown City vs WT Birkalla
7:30 pm | Friday 25 March | Steve Woodcock Sports Centre
Last Meeting: (1/7/18) Round 17, WT Birkalla 2 v Campbelltown City 2
Campbelltown City enters Round Five in great spirits after they picked up their first three points of the season in a 5-2 win against Adelaide United FC. Marc Marino will look to continue his goal-scoring form after scoring four goals last match to help his team to victory while providing an assist for the other goal. Currently, outside of the top six, Campbelltown City will hope they can quickly close the gap to help climb the ladder with a win against WT Birkalla tonight.
WT Birkalla will be devasted not to have recorded their second win of the season after they blew a 2-0 win after a ten-men Adelaide Olympic came from behind to secure a late point. Yasmin Sudic and Stefan Simic all picked up their first goals of the season in the last match’s draw. New WT Birkalla goalkeeper Nicholas Harpas will be looking forward to tonight’s matchup as he makes his first return to Campbelltown City after his switch at the start of this season.
Campbelltown City line-up: 1. Alexander Woodlands (GK), 2. Shaun Harvey (C), 5. James Boffa, 6. Adam D'Agostino, 7. Joel Allwright, 8. Alexander Mullen, 9. Marc Marino, 10. Luigi Ditroia, 12. Nicholas Francese, 14. Adam Piscioneri, 15. Antony Piscioneri, 16. Daniel Mullen, 17. Adrian D’angelo, 18. Yohei Matsumoto, 20. Matthew Centofanti, 21. Jordan Maricic, 23. Jake Halliday
Coaches: Michael Matricciani, Adrian DAloia, brenton hiern, Edward Scalzi
Team Staff: Agelo Kapnistis, Liam Oates, Corey Artone
WT Birkalla line-up: 1. Charlie Yull, 2. George Mannion, 3. james polli, 4. Christopher Ashwood (C), 6. Anthony Quici, 7. Stefan Simic, 8. Jake Monaco, 9. Calvin Mbarga, 10. Austin Ayoubi, 12. Luca Trimboli, 15. Christian D'Angelo, 17. David Makridis, 19. Nathan Munro, 20. Nicholas Harpas (GK), 21. Nicholas Harpas, 24. Noah Benouzekri, 91. Yasmin Sudic
Coaches: Jason Trimboli, George Katsaneris, Carmine Lauriello
Team Staff: Roger Williamson, Henry Lambert
South Adelaide vs Adelaide Comets
3:00 pm | Saturday 26 March | O’Sullivan Beach Sports and Community Centre
Last Meeting: (1/9/21) Round 15, South Adelaide 1 v Adelaide Comets 1
It’s first versus third, as Adelaide Comets travel to O’Sullivan Beach Sports and Community Centre to face off against South Adelaide.
South Adelaide faced their first loss of the season in Round Four as Sturt Lions fought back from behind to pick up a valuable 3-2 win. Thus far, South Adelaide has looked extremely dangerous on the attack leading the league with 14 goals in only four matches, with Jonathan Rideout scoring in every game to start the season.
Round Five will be a great test for South Adelaide as they face Adelaide Comets who are currently the best defensive side in the competition, only conceding twice in their first four games. Adelaide Comets currently remains undefeated in the league, sitting one point away from league leaders South Adelaide. Augustus Williams continues to show his class after his masterclass secured a point in their 1-1 draw with Adelaide City in Round Four. Williams currently sits on three goals in his first four NPL matches.
South Adelaide line-up: Jack Rudge, Jack Ellis, Blake Lindsay, Jonathon Rideout, Callum Nissen, 1. Ryan Veitch (GK), 4. Robert Parker, 6. Liam Wooding, 7. Melad Ahmad, 8. Brett Rayner, 11. Alexander Rideout, 13. Jai Conroy, 14. Donovan Pollock, 15. Jackson Stephens, 16. Declan Finney
Coaches: Andrew Calderbank, Steve Kitchin, Fraser McLean
Team Staff: Jacqueline Wingate
Adelaide Comets line-up: 1. Julian Torresan (GK), 5. Adam Le Cornu, 6. Francesco Pangallo, 7. Dylan Smith, 8. Ryan Yates, 9. Ryan Cook, 10. Anthony Mavrolambados, 11. Thomas Briscoe, 12. Marco Grelli, 14. Nathan Andijanto, 16. Stelios Zacharakis, 18. Thomas Giannakopoulos, 21. Nikolas Ikonomopoulos, 22. Allan Welsh (C), 23. Scott Nagel, 24. Lachlan Stead, 31. Daniel Vaughan, 66. Jayden LoBasso, 70. Joshua Daminato, 77. Augustus Williams
Coaches: Barney Smith, John Falidis, Peter Eleftherakis
Team Staff: Evangelo Katsambis, Andreas Wiens, Emma Gericke
Adelaide Olympic vs Sturt Lions
7:00 pm | Saturday 26 March | VALO Football Centre
Last Meeting: (21/8/21) Round 18, Adelaide Olympic 2 v Sturt Lions 2
Adelaide Olympic will aim to recover from what was a shaky Round Four fixture after they rescued a point in the last minute after being 2-0 down to WT Birkalla. Christos Poundendis was the saviour once again as his 94th equaliser saved his side from experiencing their third defeat of the seasons. Olympic must look to improve on their early form, as they have now conceded ten goals in just four games. Although their struggling start, Jason and Kristin Konstandopoulos continue to impress early in the season, with both contributing largely to the Adelaide Olympics attack.
Adelaide Olympic’s dangerous attack could cause problems for their opponents in their Round Five fixture, as Sturt Lions have currently conceded eight goals in just four matches. Sturt has started the season relatively well, picking up two wins in their first four matches, with their last coming against South Adelaide away. A win for Sturt Lions is a must need, as they look to remain in the top six early in the season, while Adelaide Olympic will look to overtake Sturt Lions with another three points.
Adelaide Olympic line-up: 1. Lewis Moss, 3. Paul Wilson, 4. Benkert Abdija, 5. Adam Leombruno, 6. Kristin Konstandopoulos, 7. Jason Konstandopoulos, 9. Christos Pounendis, 10. Dylan D'Agostino, 11. Tito Bontor, 12. George Katsigiannis, 14. Fausto Erba, 15. Michael Cittadini, 24. Panagiotis Manidakis, 44. Ioannis Simosis
Coaches: Yianni Stamatelopoulos, Bill Nastou, Pal Prengaj, Bill Petropoulos
Team Staff: Robert Muscio, Sumin Kim
Sturt Lions line-up: 1. James Klappers (GK), 2. Michael Marrone (C), 3. Daniel Guastella, 4. Jacob Atkinson, 5. Lachlan Duffy, 6. Toby Nelson, 7. Ben Woollard, 8. Caden Yates, 9. Gonzalo Rodriguez, 10. Alexander Sortini, 11. Samed Altundag, 12. Tyreece Conway, 13. William Plush, 14. Zack Gomez, 15. Akira Kobaishi, 16. Samuel Voigt, 17. Jonathan Fusco, 18. Jack Dawson, 19. Luke Fusco, 20. Brandon Centofanti, 21. Jed Gauci, 22. Valentino Esposito
Coaches: Lino Fusco, Frank Tibaldi, Michael Margaritis, Michael Harkness
Team Staff: Matthew Flounders, Gregory Videon, Jakson Messent
Adelaide United FC vs Croydon FC
7:30 pm | Saturday 26 March | Jack Smith Park
Last Meeting: (17/7/21) Round 13, Croydon FC 2 v Adelaide United FC 2
Adelaide United FC will be eager to recover from what was a disastrous Round Four after they were beaten 5-2 by Campbelltown City at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre. Although taking an early lead against their last round opponents, Adelaide United FC struggled defensively as Marc Marino eased past the defence to score four goals. Adelaide United FC currently holds the worst defensive record in the competition with 15 goals conceded in their first four matches, which is five more than the second-worst record. The team will hope to obtain their second win of the season after starting the year with three losses and only one win.
Croydon FC will look to take advantage of Adelaide United FC’s poor defensive record as they look to increase their goals difference early in the season. Croydon FC suffered their first defeat of the season against FK Beograd, with Sebastian Goode’s late goal not being enough to rescue a point. Croydon FC currently holds the second-worst attacking record in the competition, with only five goals scored, however defensively they have been strong holding the third-best record.
Adelaide United FC line-up: Nestor Irankunda, Arbi Mollas, Yaya Dukuly, Asad Kasumovic, 37. Jonny Yull, 40. Ethan Cox (GK), 45. Noah Mcnamara, 51. Panashe Madanha, 52. Panagiotis Kikianis, 55. Ethan Alagich, 57. Luka Jovanovic, 58. Jeanpaul Mbembe, 62. Fabian Talladira, 69. Bailey O'Neil, 70. Yiorgos Coutsoumbes, 76. Patrick Mcgregor, 81. Mohamed Bility, 83. Jok Akuien
Coaches: Airton Andrioli, Elvis Markov, Vlado Blazeka, Joe Verringer
Team Staff: William Cutts, Jonathan Norodom, Ebony Charles
Croydon Kings line-up: 1. Gianni Tramontin, 2. John Panagaris, 3. Raffaele De Lucia, 4. Lawand Hasan, 5. Luke Klimek (C), 6. Christopher Vivian, 7. Sebastian Goode, 8. Adam Martinello, 9. Dion Kirk, 10. Antoni Trimboli, 11. Luis Benedetti, 12. Eric Scardigno, 14. Peter Mercurio, 15. Froribert Niyonkuru, 16. Kristos Stefanopoulos, 17. Giuseppe Macheda, 18. Jarrod Brazzale, 19. Benson Nsegetse, 20. Jared Clark, 21. John Hall (GK), 23. patrick caraccia
Coaches: Travis Dodd, Latham Byfield, Adam Vizzari
Team Staff: Giuseppe Catalano, Joshua Avery
MetroStars and Adelaide City’s Round Five fixture that was originally scheduled for Saturday 26th March has been rescheduled due to COVID. The match will now be played on Tuesday 5th April.
State League Round Five Preview
We have an exciting weekend of State League action upon us with Round Five kicking-off with Adelaide Croatia Raiders hosting league leaders Modbury Jets in Friday night action at Croatian Sports Centre.
State League One
Adelaide Croatia Raiders will look to regain their early-season form after they slipped up against State League Two side Vipers FC last week in the first round of the Australia Cup. Currently, on a two-league game winning streak after beating Port Adelaide and Adelaide Hills, Adelaide Croatia raiders will hope to knock off the currently undefeated Modbury Jets. Omar Didero is currently the leading man for Raiders to start the season, as his four goals currently equal two-thirds of his team’s goals scored. They now face their toughest challenge as they host Modbury Jets who currently hold a record of four wins in four. During this period Modbury Jets have scored 16 goals and only conceded four, meaning the team is currently averaging four goals per game while only conceding once. A major positive for Modbury Jets so far this season is that they have numerous goal-scoring options, with eight of their players being named on the scoresheet in their first four matches.
Para Hills Knights look to bounce back after their Round Four loss to Modbury Jets where they were unable to hold off the opposition's attack from scoring two late goals. They will also look to recover from what was a disappointing Round One of the Australia Cup as they lost to Salisbury United on penalties after holding a 3-1 lead. They now face Adelaide Blue Eagles who play their first league fixture in three weeks, after two of their matches were postponed. Adelaide Blue Eagles are fresh off a 4-2 win against State League Two side Northern Demons in the first round of the Australia Cup.
State League One football continues as Playford City host Fulham United FC, Adelaide Victory play Adelaide Hills at Rushworth Reserve, while Port Adelaide travels to West Beach Parks Football Centre to face West Adelaide in Saturday afternoon action. Eastern United face Adelaide University SC at VALO Football Centre on Sunday afternoon to close off Round Five.
State League Two
State League Two Round Five gets underway Saturday with an afternoon full of exciting matchups. League leaders Mount Barker United SC travels to Smith Partners Stadium as they take on Pontian Eagles. Mount Barker United SC are experiencing their best start to the season as they enter Round Five with three wins and a draw while progressing to the next round of the Australia Cup after they beat Adelaide Titans 2-1. Their opponents Pontian Eagles have struggled thus far, only recording two points in their first four games. The squad has had no trouble scoring goals, however, have struggled defensively, conceding 6 goals in their last league fixture as they lose to Salisbury United 6-3.
Western Strikers host an informed Salisbury United team who are currently undefeated in all competitions. Western Strikers have struggled in their first four matches in State League Two, only recording four points, however, have shown potential to improve. In their last fixture, Western Strikers were able to secure a point against a strong Adelaide Cobras but will be disappointed to not have secured the three points, especially after holding a 3-0 lead. Salisbury United will look to continue their great form which has seen them win two and draw two while progressing to the next round of the cup after their late comeback against Para Hills Knights.
In other State League Two action sees Cove FC battle Adelaide Cobras, while Northern Demons host Noarlunga United at Byrne Park and Modbury Vista travel to Karingal Reserve to face Seaford Rangers. Vipers FC vs Gawler Eagles FC has been postponed due to COVID; Football SA is working with both clubs to reschedule this match.