R21 Preview - MetroStars vs. Adelaide City

We preview Round 21 in the National Premier Leagues - SA competition as North Eastern MetroStars host Metro United and Adelaide City on Saturday evening.

MetroStars are coming off a 2-0 win away to Adelaide Blue Eagles (match highlights here) last Saturday. MetroStars almost took the lead inside the fist minute when Christian Epsosito head his header cleared off the line from a Fabian Barbiero corner kick. It only took 30 seconds more when Nahuel Bonada headed home Barbiero's corner to get his first goal in the National Premier Leagues. Blue Eagles went down to 10 men in the 20th minuter after Nthoane given a straight red card for a horrendous challenge on Esposito. MetroStars had two strong penalties shouts turned down themselves before Isaac Carmody was harshly adjudged to have fouled Hutton-Addy in the box. Perhaps justice was restored when Carmody brilliantly saved Liam McCabe's spot kick which sent Metro ahead at the half time break. Substitute Hamish Gow sealed the win with a classy goal, combining superbly with Wooding and Bonada.

Meanwhile Adelaide City are coming off a 1-0 win at home to South Adelaide to get their first win in five games. City took the lead in the first minute with a goal from Evan Kostopoulous and held on for a crucial win that means they need just one point from their next two games to avoid relegation. Adelaide City currently sit tenth on the ladder with 18 points. MetroStars are still chasing a finals spot currently sitting in seventh place, 3 points off sixth placed Blue Eagles.

Rob Saraceno coached in his 100th game in charge of the club last Saturday and will be firing up his squad as they push towards a finals spot. Dylan Smith, Lachlan Barr, Tom Strain and Michael D'Aloisio will face late fitness tests this week. 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 City Squad: 1. Ryan Veitch, 2. Christopher Pepe, 3. Bradley Corbo, 4. Elliot Green, 5. Zakariah Waters, 6. Dominic Matricciani, 7. Chris Pepe, 8. Joseph Costa, 9. Anthony Costa, 10. Evan Kostopoulos, 11. Nicholas Bucco, 14. Ante Markulic, 17. Stefan Casalbore, 20. Fabio Ferreira, 22. Haris Vuckic, 26. Sadegh Heidari, 29. Adam D'Agostino, 38. Austin Ayoubi, 45. Tomas Maricic, 46. Joe Gauci (GK), 48. Marcos Flores, 49. Massimo Falco

Isaac Carmody got himself a clean sheet last weekend against Blue Eagles, saving a penalty. Photo credit: Adam Butler

Form (last 5 games):

Adelaide Blue Eagles 0-2 MetroStars

MetroStars 0-2 Raiders

MetroStars 1-2 Adelaide Olympic

MetroStars 1-2 Campbelltown City

MetroStars 1-4 Croydon Kings

Adelaide City 1-0 South Adelaide

Para Hills Knights 2-0 Adelaide City

Adelaide City 1-1 Adelaide Blue Eagles

Adelaide Olympic 1-1 Adelaide City

Campbelltown City 3-3 Adelaide City

Last 5 meetings:

17.5.19 - Adelaide City 1-0 MetroStars

25.8.19 - Adelaide City 2-0 MetroStars

4.8.19 - MetroStars 1-2 Adelaide City

7.4.19 - Adelaide City 0-2 MetroStars

26.8.17 - Adelaide City 2-1 MetroStars

MetroStars will be looking for victory in their last official home game of the season. 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

Paula Orlandi - Assistant Referee 1

Riley Cowan - Assistant Referee 2

MetroStars vs. Adelaide City Saturday 10th August - 5PM

Reserves 2:45PM | U18 12:30PM

T.K. Shutter Reserve

followed by Metro United vs. Adelaide - 7:15PM