FFA Cup Preview - MetroStars vs. Sturt Lions

We preview Round 2 in of FFA Cup SA Qualifying as North Eastern MetroStars host State League 1 side Sturt Lions at T.K. Shutter Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

MetroStars are coming off a 3-2 loss to Adelaide United (highlights here) and will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing performance last Friday night. Meanwhile our opponents Sturt comfortably dismantled Playford City 4-1.

Head Coach Robbie Saraceno will be expecting a big response from his squad following a sub-par performance against Adelaide United. The 3-2 scoreline flattered to deceive as Adelaide United dominated large portions of the game. Goalkeeer Isaac Carmody was red carded following a proffesional foul outside of the box. Jackson O'Donnell is set to replace him in the lineup to make his senior debut for MetroStars.

Dylan Smith will be facing some familiar faces having played for Sturt last season before coming to T.K. Shutter Reserve. om Strain will be hungry for goals following his brilliant goal against Adelaide United. Tim Henderson is the only squad member missing and is only weeks away from making his return after missing all of pre-season due to injury.

Sturt Lions duo Matteo Federici and Samed Altundag will be the ones to watch on the opposing side. Federici had a standout performance when Sturt visited T.K. Shutter Reserve last season (highlights here). Altundag spent several years in the Adelaide United youth team setup.

Photo credit: AdelaideNow

MetroStars Squad: 2. Nicholas Menechella, 3. Cohan Morris, 4. Justin Davis, 6. Lachlan Barr, 7. Michael D'Aloisio (c), 8. Rocky Callisto, 9. Thomas Strain, 10. Anthony Solagna, 11. Matthew Charalambous, 12. Benjamin Head, 14. Dylan Smith, 16. Alexander Jakob, 17. Matthew Dawber, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Cooper O’Donnell, 20. Cameron O'Doherty, 22. Hamish Gow, 23. Christian Esposito, 25. Jackson O’Donnell, 26. Stefan Cali

Sturt Lions Squad: 1. James Klappers (GK), 3. Daniel Guastella, 5. Lachlan Duffy, 6. Toby Nelson, 7. Robert Wilson, 8. Anthony Taylor, 9. Matteo Federici, 10. Alexander Sortini, 11. Samed Altundag 13. Alexander Sortini, 14. Headman Dadzie, 15. Akira Kobaishi (c), 16. Samuel Voigt, 17. Jonathan Fusco

Referee Appointments:

Aaron Galanti - Referee

Henry Day - Assistant Referee 1

Alexander Diamond - Assistant Referee 2

Come and join us Sunday afternoon for a massive game of football! Alternatively, you can follow live updates on our Twitter @NE_MetroStars or by using the hashtag #MetroStars.

MetroStars vs. Sturt Lions Saturday 20th April - 2:30PM T.K. Shutter Reserve, Klemzig