R20 Preview - Blue Eagles vs. MetroStars

We preview Round 20 in the National Premier Leagues - SA competition as Adelaide Blue Eagles host MetroStars at Marden Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.

MetroStars are coming off a 2-0 loss at home to Raiders (match highlights here) last Saturday. It was the worst possible start for Metro when Raiders were awarded a penalty in just the second minute when Barr was adjudged to have hand-balled in the area. Terrance Carter stepped and converted the penalty. It was Carter again who doubled the advantage as he pounced on a mis-communication in defence and fired past Isaac Carmody. MetroStars had a shout for a penalty turned down in the second half but in truth it was a poor match.

Meanwhile Blue Eagles are coming off a 1-0 loss away to Croydon Kings. Masahiro Haruoka got the games only goal on 25 minutes. Evan Kounavelis was sent off in the 61st minute which means he will miss the game against Metro. The Azzuri are currently sitting in 6th place and are six points in front of MetroStars in 7th.

Head Coach Robbie Saraceno will be taking charge of his 100th game for MetroStars. His challenge now is gain maximum points from the remaining three games to give us a chance of qualifying for the final series. Dylan Smith and Liam Wooding are both Michael D'Aloisio is a possibility to come back following a calf injury. 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 Blue Eagles Squad: 1. Benjamin Jackson, 5. Chris Annicchiarico, 6. Brylon Nthoane, 7. Shekubah Hutton-Addy, 8. Damien Crettenden, 10. Alemayo Kebede, 12. Zac Vannucci, 14. Stefan Gluscevic, 15. Christian D'Angelo, 16. Hamish Mccabe, 17 Liam Mccabe, 18. Lucas Candeloro, 20. Chante Mayol, 21. Ivan D'Adamo, 23. Antoni Panagoulias, 24. Adrian Barone, 26. Richard Goss, Raffaele De Lucia

Dylan Smith netted a hat-trick against Blue Eagles back in June. Photo credit: Adam Butler

Form (last 5 games):

MetroStars 0-2 Raiders

MetroStars 1-2 Adelaide Olympic

MetroStars 1-2 Campbelltown City

MetroStars 1-4 Croydon Kings

MetroStars 1-1 Adelaide Comets

Croydon Kings 1-0 Adelaide Blue Eagles

Adelaide City 1-1 Adelaide Blue Eagles

South Adelaide 0-1 Adelaide Blue Eagles

Adelaide Blue Eagles 0-4 Adelaide Olympic

Para Hills Knights 2-1 Adelaide Blue Eagles

Last 5 meetings:

1.6.19 - MetroStars 5-0 Adelaide Blue Eagles

29.7.17 - Adelaide Blue Eagles 1-1 MetroStars

30.4.17 - MetroStars 4-2 Adelaide Blue Eagles

2.7.16 - Adelaide Blue Eagles 1-2 MetroStars

26.3.16 - MetroStars 1-5 Adelaide Blue Eagles

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

Come and join us Saturday afternoon for a massive game of football! The game will 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:

Gary Mooney - Referee

Ian Crossing - Assistant Referee 1

Thomas Temby - Assistant Referee 2

Adelaide Blue Eagles MetroStars Saturday 3rd August - 3PM

Reserves 12:45PM | U18 10:30AM

Marden Sports Complex