R18 Preview - MetroStars vs. Adelaide Olympic

We preview Round 18 in the National Premier Leagues - SA competition as North Eastern MetroStars host Adelaide Olympic at T.K. Shutter Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

MetroStars are coming off a 2-1 loss at home to league leaders Campbelltown City (match highlights here) last Saturday. MetroStars were left heavily depleted with captain Michael D'Aloisio a late omission, Nonetheless, Metro started the game brightly and were unfortunate to go behind to a quick counter attacking goal from Lui Di Troia. MetroStars kept fighting and get a deserved equaliser when Hamish Gow played a delightful ball through to Cooper O'Donnell who calmly slotted the ball past Harpas. Di Troia got what turned out to be the winner minutes later as his floated free kick in deceived defenders and goalkeeper alike and went into the back of the net.

Meanwhile Adelaide Olympic got a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw with Adelaide City. John Karatzas' goal 92nd minute goal earning them a share of the points. Olympic are currently sitting 4th on the ladder and sitting 2 points ahead MetroStars in 6th place.

Rocky Callisto and Lachlan Barr return from suspension. Tom Strain is back in training from a hamstring injury and may make his comeback in the Reserves game. Justin Davis and Nick Menechella are both out with season ending injuries.

MetroStars Squad: 1. Isaac Carmody, 3. Cohan Morris, 6. Lachlan Barr, 7. Michael D'Aloisio (c), 10. Anthony Solagna, 11. Matthew Charalambous, 12. Benjamin Head, 14. Dylan Smith, 15. Liam Wooding, 16. Alexander Jakob, 17. Matthew Dawber, 18. Fabian Barbiero, 19. Cooper O’Donnell, 20. Cameron O'Doherty, 22. Hamish Gow, 23. Christian Esposito, 24. Nahuel Bonada 25. Jackson O’Donnell, 26. Stefan Cali

Adelaide Olympic Squad: 1 D. Vaughan, 2 J. Butler-Bowdon, 3 M. Halliday, 4 T. Brown, 5 D. Makridis, 6 E. Vlassis, 7 J. Karatzas, 8 M. Katopodis, 9 C. Pounendis, 10 R. DaSilva, 11 A. Koutoulogenis, 12 D. Toumazos, 13 P. Espina, 14 F. Erba, 15 J. Chivers, 16 J. Tsimopoulos, 17 P. Koutsampasis, 21 N. Harpas, 23 M. Alexandrou

Cooper O'Donnell gave MetroStars a deserved equaliser last weekend against Cambpelltown. Photo credit: Adam Butler

Form (last 5 games):

MetroStars 1-2 Campbelltown City

MetroStars 1-4 Croydon Kings

MetroStars 1-1 Adelaide Comets

MetroStars 3-3 South Adelaide

MetroStars 1-1 Adelaide United

Adelaide Olympic 1-1 Adelaide City

Adelaide Blue Eagles 0-4 Adelaide Olympic

Adelaide Olympic 1-0 Croydon Kings

Adelaide Olympic 3-2 Adelaide City

Adelaide Comets 1-2 Adelaide Olympic

Last 5 meetings:

3.3.19 - Adelaide Olympic 3-1 MetroStars

11.8.18 - MetroStars 1-0 Adelaide Olympic

23.6.18 - Adelaide Olympic 1-0 MetroStars

17.3.18 - MetroStars 1-0 Adelaide Olympic

10.6.17 - Adelaide Olympic 1-0 MetroStars

MetroStars are looking to end their winless run of five games. Photo credit: Joe Janko

Come and join us Saturday afternoon for a massive game of football! The game will also be live streamed on the Football Federation South Australia Facebook and YouTube pages. Alternatively, you can follow live updates on our Twitter @NE_MetroStars or by using the hashtag #MetroStars.

Referee Appointments:

TBA - Referee

TBA - Assistant Referee 1

TBA - Assistant Referee 2

MetroStars vs. Adelaide Olympic Saturday 20th July - 3PM

Reserves 12:45PM | U18 10:30AM

T.K. Shutter Reserve, Klemzig