Round 1 vs FK Beograd

MetroStars kick off Round 1 of the new National Premier League South Australia competition this weekend against FK Beograd at Frank Mitchell Park.

Live Stream - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKl_9UXG_NM

Head Coach Danny Graystone have brought in a number of new players including Christian Sotira (FK Beograd / SA), Maceo Jones (Bentleigh / Vic) and Emmanuel Dolo (Blacktown / NSW) to name a few.

Goalkeeper Cody Oestreich recently joined the side from Football Qld NPL side Lions FC, while Eduardo Castaneda also joined the club from Football Tasmania NPL side South Hobart, with the average age of the team now being 22.

Fabian Barbiero has been appointed as the new captain for season 2024, with Jackson Walls as the Vice Captain.

Head Coach & Technical Director Danny Graystone spoke to metrostars.com.au ahead of the game:

“We head into Round 1 this weekend acknowledging that after our accomplishments this year we will be targeted by everyone as the team to beat. With that in mind we have worked extremely hard during pre-season to ensure that we are in a position to challenge for all three competitions.”

“Despite not going into the season as favourites as our rival teams have heavily invested financially into their squads we believe that we have a squad that will still be in a position to fight for silverware on all 3 fronts and from Sunday it’s about going out on the pitch and proving that.”

“We have seen some significant transfer movement during the off season and we have to congratulate those players that have move upwards to play in the A-League and new National Second Tier clubs”.

“This is a level of football we cannot offer these players at the moment so we wish them all the best on their footballing journey and will monitor their progress as they will no doubt be successful on their pathway with the foundation that has been provided for them.”

“The off season has been a challenging one when it comes to recruitment. With the A-League starting to pull more from the NPL and the drawcard of the National Second Tier back to Victoria and NSW it has been increasingly difficult to attract the type of player that fits both into the playing style and culture of MetroStars”.

“Having scoured the local competition and national NPL competition for talent that will fit into our squad we are very excited with the players that we have managed to attract both locally and from inter-state. These players have ambition and are willing to work hard to get into the side and be successful. We welcome them onboard and we are excited about the coming season and what they can achieve with us.”

“I am also very pleased to announce that after a state wide search we are very pleased to welcome on board Greg Videon, Jonathan Negus and Mathew Prodanovski to the Performance Phase of the club. Three coaches with a significant coaching background and who are heavily invested in not just winning games for MetroStars but also developing and nurturing future talent for the senior squad. It is important that every young player that progresses into the Performance Phase at the club has the best environment possible to give our young talent the best opportunity to progress through to senior squad and represent this club at senior level. We look forward to seeing them progress this year.”

“The squad is ready and we are looking forward to Round 1 and starting the season on a high in what will be a touch first away fixture to start off the season against FK Beograd. They are a physically strong team, very tight defensively and on they are always a difficult team to play against on their home ground.” 

Round 1

FK Beograd vs MetroStars

Sunday 25 February

Frank Mitchell Park

5pm Kick Off

Live Stream - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKl_9UXG_NM