R19 Preview - MetroStars vs. Raiders

We preview Round 19 in the National Premier Leagues - SA competition as North Eastern MetroStars host Raiders at T.K. Shutter Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

MetroStars are coming off a 2-1 loss at home to Adelaide Olympic (match highlights here) last Saturday. Olympic were the better side in the first half, going ahead to an 11th minute penalty from Pounendis. Tom Strain looked lively up front upon his return to the first team Isaac Carmody made some great stops to prevent MetroStars going further behind heading into the half time break. The home team came out firing in the second half and got a deserved equaliser on 61 minutes when Dylan Smith's corner was headed home by Anthony Solagna. Solagna now has 3 headed goals from corners in the last 4 weeks. Both sides pushed for a winner and utlimately it went Olympic's way as Fausto Erba's free kick rocketed into the back of the net in the 87th minute to give Olympic all 3 points. Defeat for MetroStars means we drop out of the top 6 for the first time this season.

Meanwhile Raiders are coming into this game following a comfortable 4-0 win over relegation battlers South Adelaide. Yasmin Sudic (2), Giovanni Previtali and David Carosi were the goal scorers. Raiders are currently sitting 4th on the ladder and with 29 points, four points ahead of 7th placed MetroStars who have 25 points.

MetroStars coach Robbie Saraceno will be making it clear to his squad that every game is now a must win as we try to fight back and qualify for this season's finals series. Tom Strain is back from injury, having played 60 minutes last week against Olympic. Michael D'Aloisio is a possibility to come back following a groin injury. Justin Davis and Nick Menechella are both out with season ending injuries. Former club captain Adam van Dommele will return to T.K. Shutter Reserve for the first team since departing MetroStars at the end of the 2017.

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

Raiders Squad: 13. Nick Munro (GK), 5. Adam van Dommele, 6. Omari Didero, 7. Jackson Walls, 8. Rocky Visconte, 11. David Carosi, 14. Oliver Zafiridis, 16. Ambesager Yosief, 18. Joshua Mori, 21. Jake Monaco, 30. Giovanni Previtali, 33. Mark Ulaj, 91. Yasmin Sudic, 99. Emanuel Philip

Anthony Solagna has scored 3 goals in the last 4 game for MetroStars. Photo credit: Adam Butler

Form (last 5 games):

MetroStars 1-2 Adelaide Olympic

MetroStars 1-2 Campbelltown City

MetroStars 1-4 Croydon Kings

MetroStars 1-1 Adelaide Comets

MetroStars 3-3 South Adelaide

Raiders 4-0 South Adelaide

Adelaide Comets 6-0 Raiders

Raiders 4-1 West Adelaide

Adelaide City 3-2 Raiders

Raiders 2-5 Campbelltown City

Last 5 meetings:

27.4.19 - Raiders 0-1 MetroStars

4.6.16 - MetroStars 1-0 Raiders

5.3.16 - Raiders 0-1 MetroStars

13.6.15 - MetroStars 1-0 Raiders

9.3.15 - Raiders 3-0 MetroStars

MetroStars are looking to end their winless run of six games. Photo credit: Adam Butler

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

Referee Appointments:

Gary Mooney - Referee

TBA - Assistant Referee 1

Angus Macdonald - Assistant Referee 2

MetroStars vs. Raiders Saturday 27th July - 3PM

Reserves 12:45PM | U18 10:30AM

T.K. Shutter Reserve, Klemzig