Match of the Round
FK Beograd vs MetroStars
3:00 pm | Saturday 9 April | Frank Mitchell Park
Last Meeting: (4/7/15) Round 20 | MetroStars 2 v FK Beograd 2
After facing their first defeat since Round Two, FK Beograd will look to bounce back as they take on MetroStars in their first competitive match since 2015.
FK Beograd showed great potential in their Round Six matchup against the current league leaders Adelaide City as Thomas Love and Massimo Falco both recorded their first goals of the season, both scoring against their former club. Love’s finish could be the season’s quickest goal scored, as he gave his side the lead within the first minute of the game. However, Adelaide City was too strong on the day, with FK Beograd losing the match 4-2, marking their first loss since their Round Two encounter with Adelaide Olympic.
FK Beograd continues to impress in front of goals early in the season, with the team having seven different goal scorers thus far. In their last five matches, FK Beograd has recorded at least two goals in each encounter, however, have struggled to reframe from conceding multiple goals, with them conceding at least twice in four of their first six.
FK Beograd’s Round Seven opponents MetroStars will be hungry to redeem what has been a frustrating couple of weeks. After missing their scheduled Round Five fixture due to a COVID postponement, their return to football didn’t go to plan as they recorded one point out of a possible six. After drawing 1-1 with Adelaide Comets last Friday night and their 3-0 loss to Adelaide City on Tuesday night, MetroStars will be furious they had dropped points against fellow title challengers.
Coach Robbie Saraceno must look to manage his team’s fitness, as the squad will play their third game in eight days in their matchup with FK Beograd. While conceding four in his last two games, MetroStars goalkeeper Luke Ostbye has continued to impress, making numerous important saves that have kept his side from conceding many more.
Although not recording a win in their last two fixtures, MetroStars continued to show their quality on the pitch as they proved to be extremely competitive against the 2021 Grand Finalist in Adelaide City and Adelaide Comets. MetroStars must look to find more goals, with the team currently sitting with the joint fourth worst attacking record in the competition, level with their Round Seven opponents FK Beograd.
FK Beograd line-up: 2. Filimon Asefa, 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), 15. Massimo Falco, 16. Ninko Beric, 18. Stanisa Velinov, 20. Jordan Pudler, 21. Nikola Jokic, 22. Akok Arok, 23. Cooper Nunn
Coaches: Damian Mori, Scott Parr
Team Staff: Constantinos Tsaconas, Stevo Nikolic
MetroStars line-up: 1. Isaac Carmody, 2. Connor O'rielly, 3. Luke Frangakis, 4. Justin Davis, 5. Timothy Henderson, 6. Paul Blefari, 8. Rocky Callisto, 9. Thomas Strain, 10. Anthony Solagna (C), 11. Ariath Piol, 12. Alessio Melisi, 14. Philip Cash, 15. Nicholas Pedicini, 16. Francesco Schimizzi, 17. Cameron Dix, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Cooper O'donnell, 20. Luke Ostbye (GK), 21. Cameron Woodfin, 22. Hamish Gow, 22. Jackson Walls, 23. Christian Esposito, 26. Ren Nagamatsu, 27. Jackson Fortunatow
Coaches: Robert Saraceno, Nicholas Bouzalas, Adam Van Dommele, Michael Rende
Team Staff: Giorgio Capoccia, Joseph Polisena, Patrick Pike, George Laoutaris
WT Birkalla vs Cumberland United
2:30 pm | Saturday 9 April | Jack Smith Park
Last Meeting: (24/8/19) State League One Final Series Round One, Cumberland United 4 v WT Birkalla 1 AET
It’s the bottom of the table clash as eleventh place WT Birkalla hosts twelfth place Cumberland United at Jack Smith Park Saturday afternoon.
WT Birkalla looks to distance themselves from Cumberland United at the bottom of the table, as they search for their second win of the season. After not finding a win since their Round Two win against Sturt Lions, WT Birkalla are eager to remove themselves from the bottom two. The team is now without a goal since the 12th of March, as they enter Round Seven on the back of two goalless results. WT Birkalla showed great potential in their last match as they recorded a draw with third-place Croydon FC. Entering the seventh round with the second-worst attacking record in the competition, WT Birkalla must look to increase their goal difference as they verse a struggling Cumberland United defence. A win for WT Birkalla will see them go seven points from the bottom spot.
Cumberland United are currently experiencing a bad run of form which has seen them lose five of their opening six games, as they sit at the bottom of the table with only one point. Currently on a four-match losing streak, Cumberland United must look to change their fortunes quickly before they are forced to play catchup for the remainder of the season. A win for WT Birkalla will see them go seven points on top of Cumberland United. Currently three games without scoring a goal, Cumberland United have now conceded nine goals since they have last scored. A win for Cumberland United in Round Seven is vital early in the season.
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, 11. jonathon d'arrigo, 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
Cumberland United line-up: 1. Luke Schoen (GK), 4. Tom Dittmar, 5. Sam Carmichael, 7. Rocco Visconte, 8. Harry Thannhauser, 10. Daniel Ryles, 14. Cohan Morris, 16. Brayden Micallef, 18. Wesley Weetra, 20. Stavros Bakopanos, 22. Minsung Park, 24. Amir Ibrahim, 35. Thomas Visser
Coaches: Neil Young, Mathew Balopitos, Daniel Stuart, Bryn Jones
Team Staff: Jody Loomes, Sean Bushby, Steven O'Donnell
South Adelaide vs Campbelltown City
3:00 pm | Saturday 9 April | O’Sullivan’s Beach Sports and Recreation Park
Last Meeting: (2/10/21) Final Series Round One, Campbelltown City 1 v South Adelaide 3
After starting the season with three wins in their opening three games, South Adelaide is currently experiencing a bad run of form which has seen them lose their last three games. Scoring fourteen goals in their opening four games, South Adelaide looked like one of the league’s most dangerous attacking sides, however, they have now experienced two consecutive games without recording a single goal. Their 4-0 loss to Adelaide Olympic last round will raise many concerns for the squad, heading into their showdown with Campbelltown City, especially as they will be without Jai Conroy, who was sent off in their last outing.
Campbelltown City will look to take advantage of South Adelaide’s bad form, as they look to go five games unbeaten, with a top-six spot in their sights. After experiencing two wins in a row, Campbelltown City felt a minor slipup as they drew 1-1 with Sturt Lions in Round Six, with Alex Mullen scoring in his third consecutive game to take his tally to four for the season. Defensively they have looked much stronger in recent weeks, with the team conceding once in the past two games. Campbelltown City will look for revenge over their Round Seven opponents after South Adelaide knocked them out of the Final Series, erasing any hope of another Championship.
South Adelaide line-up: 1. Ryan Veitch (GK), 4. Robert Parker, 6. Liam Wooding, 7. Melad Ahmad, 8. Brett Rayner, 9. Ryan Wood, 10. Jonathon Rideout, 11. Alexander Rideout, 14. Donovan Pollock, 15. Jackson Stephens, 18. Jack Rudge, 19. Blake Lindsay, 23. Jack Ellis, 40. Taine Muscroft
Coaches: Andrew Calderbank, Steve Kitchin, Matthew Huntley, Fraser McLean
Team Staff: Jacqueline Wingate
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, 18. Yohei Matsumoto, 19. Joshua Barresi, 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
Adelaide United FC vs Adelaide City
3:00 pm | Saturday 9 April | Summit Sport and Recreation Park
Last Meeting: (7/8/21) Round 16, Adelaide United FC 2 v Adelaide City 4
It’s an exciting weekend at the Summit as the 2021 RAA NPLSA Champions face-off with Adelaide United FC in an exciting showdown.
After picking up just their second win of the season as they beat Cumberland United 4-0, Adelaide United look to make it two in a row. Starting the season with four losses in their opening five games, there were many worrying signs arising for the young stars of Adelaide United FC. However, after two good performances where they took Croydon FC to the limit in their 4-3 loss and their first clean sheet of the season against Cumberland United, things are starting to look up. Luka Jovanovic continues to show his class early in the season, with his tremendous strike against Cumberland United earning him his third of the season.
Adelaide United FC will need to work hard to achieve their second consecutive win as they battle the undefeated league leaders in Adelaide City. The 2021 Champions title defence couldn’t have started any better as they enter Round Seven with four wins and two draws. After a week off from a postponed game, Adelaide City returned in great style as they knocked off FK Beograd 4-2 last Saturday and backed it up with a convincing 3-0 win over fellow title challengers MetroStars on Tuesday night. The prospect of playing three games in the space of seven days may cause as few fitness problems for the squad, however, the squad depth that coach Paul Pezos has at his disposal will come in handy in these situations. Adelaide City will look to continue their lead at the top of the RAA NPLSA, with star performer Kur Kur looking to take advantage of Adelaide United’s bad defensive record as he looks to score in his fifth consecutive game.
Adelaide United FC line-up: Yaya Dukuly, Nestor Irankunda, Asad Kasumovic, 37. Jonny Yull, 40. Ethan Cox (GK), 45. Noah Mcnamara, 51. Panashe Madanha, 52. Giuseppe Bovalina, 53. Kane Vidmar, 58. Musa Toure, 62. Fabian Talladira, 63. Patrick Mcgregor, 70. Ashton Rinaldo, 81. Mohamed Bility, 83. Jok Akuien, 97. Luka Jovanovic
Coaches: Vlado Blazeka, Elvis Markov, Joe Verringer
Team Staff: Will Mockridge, Jonathan Norodom, Ebony Charles
Adelaide City line-up: 4. Matthew Halliday, 6. Bradley Corbo, 7. Daniel Bressan, 10. Nicholas Bucco, 11. Kur Kur, 14. Aladin Irabona, 17. Thomas Brown, 19. Vianne Kurikwimana, 20. Charlie Devereux, 22. JUAN GUTIERREZ, 27. Matthew Dawber, 33. Dakota Ochsenham, 99. Ayom Ayom Majok
Coaches: Paul Pezos, George Tsonis
Team Staff: Fabian Garuccio, Luis Fernandez Astudillo, Nik Hagicostas
Sturt Lions vs Croydon FC
3:00 pm | Saturday 9 April | VALO Football Centre
Last Meeting: (10/7/21) Round 12, Sturt Lions 1 v Croydon FC 1
Two teams that felt minor slipups in Round Six face-off at VALO Football Centre on Saturday afternoon as Sturt Lions host Croydon FC.
Heading into Round Seven, Sturt Lions remain three matches unbeaten after picking up a draw against Campbelltown City last Saturday. After a strong first-half performance which climaxed with a penalty converted by striker Gonzalo Rodriguez, Sturt Lions looked destined to pick up their third win in three games. However, a solid second-half performance by their opponents meant Sturt Lions had to just settle for a point. A win for Sturt Lions will see them overtake their opponents who currently sit in third.
Croydon FC will be no easy opponent for Sturt Lions in their Round Seven clash, with the third-place side starting the season in great form, only experiencing one defeat in their opening six games. Croydon FC will be disappointed to have missed the opportunity to take second place on the table after they drew 0-0 with WT Birkalla in Round Six, marking their second goalless draw of the season. After missing the previous game with suspension, club top goal scorer Dion Kirk will look to return with a bang to assist his club to victory.
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
Coaches: Lino Fusco, Frank Tibaldi, Michael Margaritis, Michael Harkness
Team Staff: Matthew Flounders, Gregory Videon, Logan Stevens
Croydon FC 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, 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
Adelaide Comets vs Adelaide Olympic
8:30 pm | Tuesday 12 April | Jack Smith Park
Last Meeting: (18/9/21) Round 22, Adelaide Comets 3 v Adelaide Olympic 2
To close Round Seven, we have an exciting matchup with the best defensive side in the competition Adelaide Comets hosting Adelaide Olympic who currently has the tied best-attacking output in the competition.
Adelaide Comets is eager to continue their impressive start to the season which has seen them remain undefeated in their opening six games. Unfortunately dropping points in their Round Six 1-1 draw with MetroStars, Adelaide Comets enters the seventh round two points off league leaders Adelaide City. Goalkeeper Julian Torresan has been a vital part of Adelaide Comets’ brilliant backline that has seen the squad concede only three goals thus far, which was evident against MetroStars last round. Adelaide Comets will hope to remain undefeated heading into their Round Two Australia Cup showdown with Adelaide Olympic next week, while Allan Welsh, Augustus Williams and Nikolas Ikonomopoulos all look to continue their impressive start to the season that has seen them score three goals each.
Adelaide Olympic’s tremendous style of attacking football will be tested in Round Seven as they face their toughest challenge in Adelaide Comets. Having scored 16 goals in their opening six games, Adelaide Olympic has found no issues finding the back of the net, with the team recording eight different goal scorers thus far. Their dominance in front of goals was highlighted in their 4-0 win over South Adelaide, which saw Michael Cittadini grab a brace, while Ioannis Simosis grabbed his third of the season, with Dylan D’Agostino recording his second for his new club. A win for Adelaide Olympic could see them jump into the top six if other results go their way.
Adelaide Comets line-up: 1. Julian Torresan (GK), 3. Christian Kourlas, 5. Adam Le Cornu, 6. Francesco Pangallo, 7. Dylan Smith, 8. Ryan Yates, 9. Ryan Cook, 10. Anthony Mavrolambados, 11. Thomas Briscoe, 14. Nathan Andijanto, 16. Stelios Zacharakis, 17. Marco Grelli, 18. Thomas Giannakopoulos, 19. Jaiden Diamantis, 21. Nikolas Ikonomopoulos, 22. Allan Welsh (C), 23. Scott Nagel, 24. Lachlan Stead, 31. Daniel Vaughan, 50. Harry Findlay, 77. Augustus Williams
Coaches: Barney Smith, John Falidis, Peter Eleftherakis, Andreas Wiens
Team Staff: Evangelo Katsambis, Andrew Furner, Emma Gericke
Adelaide Olympic line-up: 1. Lewis Moss, 2. Jacob Jones, 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, 13. Rastko Ljujic, 15. Michael Cittadini, 24. Panagiotis Manidakis, 44. Ioannis Simosis
Coaches: Yianni Stamatelopoulos, George Konstandopoulos, Bill Nastou, Pal Prengaj
Team Staff: Sumin Kim
State League One
An exciting weekend of State League action is upon us, with numerous exciting matchups occurring in Round Seven.
Eastern United travel to the Croatian Sports Centre Saturday afternoon as they take on Adelaide Croatia Raiders in a top-six showdown. Both teams currently sit level on points, with eight, with only one goal dividing both teams, demonstrating how close this encounter could be. Adelaide Croatia Raiders are currently experiencing a bad run of form that has seen them be without a win since their Round Four clash with Port Adelaide on the 12th of March. Eastern United have experienced an impressive start to the season which had seen them remain unbeaten since their Round One loss to Adelaide Blue Eagles, however, a midweek 1-0 slipup against Para Hills Knights marked their second loss of the season.
In other action sees Modbury Jets return to football after a week off due to COVID, as they look to increase their lead at the top of State League One as they face a struggling Adelaide Hills. Modbury Jets have started the season with five wins in five, sitting two points above second with a game in hand. Remaining the league’s best attacking and defensive side in the competition, Modbury Jets will look to increase their lead at the top of the table. Their opponents Adelaide Hills face a tough challenge, as they enter the seventh round having only recorded one point since their opening-round win against Adelaide University. Having scored only one goal in their last five matches, they may struggle to find a goal against the team with the best defensive record.
State League One football continues as West Adelaide host Adelaide Blue Eagles, Adelaide Victory plays Port Adelaide at Ngarrpadla (Taperoo Reserve), Para Hills Knights look to continue their great start to the season against Fulham United FC, while Adelaide University faceoff against Playford City at VALO Football Centre.
State League Two
Adelaide Cobras could face their toughest challenge thus far as they travel to face an informed Northern Demons at Byrne Park Saturday afternoon. Adelaide Cobra’s return to action in Round Six saw them pick up an important 2-1 win over Noarlunga United, as they took the top spot with a game in hand. Having won four of their opening five games and remaining undefeated with the best defensive record, the 2022 season is looking bright for Adelaide Cobras. However, Northern Demons is no easy opponent, as they are currently experiencing a run of two wins heading into Round Seven. New signing Yiannis Nestoras has been vital in this run, as he has started the season scoring seven in his first six games, with fellow teammate Cooper Mullins being a strong contributor. Northern Demons will be hoping to provide Adelaide Cobras with their first loss of the season.
Cove FC will look to remain undefeated as they face Mount Barker United SC at Summit Sport and Recreation Park. Mount Barker has struggled since starting their season with three wins in three, with the team recording only one point in their last three. Mount Barker United SC attacker Daniel Searle looks to continue the great goalscoring form that has seen him score seven in six games, as he faces his former club for the first time. Cove FC will search for only their second win of the season, having drawn four of their opening five matches. Although remaining undefeated during this period, Cove FC has struggled to find the final goal to achieve three points on numerous occasions. Three points are vital for both teams as they look to pick up their first wins in three games.
In other State League Two action sees Western Strikers battle Gawler Eagles FC, Vipers FC host Seaford Rangers at St Clair Oval, Salisbury United travel to Wilfred Taylor Reserve to face Noarlunga United and Pontian Eagles face Modbury Vista at Smith Partners Stadium.