Friday, February 20, 2009

"The Mercury" Preview

This is the full text of the preview sent to "The Mercury", just so that you can see how it was cut by 50 per cent:

Summer Cup Soccer Preview [Premier League Section] for “The Mercury” of Friday, 20 February 2009

By Walter Pless

Summer Cup holder Hobart Zebras must win against last year’s losing finalist South Hobart when they meet at South Hobart at 12.30pm tomorrow [Saturday] if it is to reach this year’s final.

South Hobart can virtually assure itself of a place in the final from Group B by beating the Zebras.

Zebras will be strengthened by the return of central defender Ryan Smith from overseas after he missed all of last season.

South will have Ricky Eaves on view for the first time, but striker David Abbott may be rested because of a hamstring strain.

Hobart Olympic, third in Group B, meets last-placed New Town Eagles at 11am and must win to keep alive its hopes of a place in the final.

Olympic welcomes back striker Michael Bulis to partner new signing Akuel Guot in attack, while defender Youssef Mohamad is also back after holidays.

Ben Backhaus and Chris Tsimiklis will work their way back through the reserves, while the club is still awaiting a clearance from Greece for its new midfielder.

Eagles will add Wade Savage to its side after he impressed coach George Krambousanos in the reserves last weekend.

Krambousanos had a serious talk to his players at training during the week after last Saturday’s debacle against South Hobart - a 6-0 hiding - and has worked on strengthening the defence.

Glenorchy Knights and Clarence United, the two top sides in Group A, meet at 2pm in a game neither side can afford to lose as the winner will have one foot in the final.

Knights will have defenders Tony Dzelalija and Corey Smith back after they missed the opening-round 2-0 win over University.

Defender Nektar Vavoulas may be unavailable because of family reasons.

Midfielder Mynonge Kamba will be keen to impress against his former club.

Clarence may introduce key players Luke Cripps, Sam Cannamela and Julian McMahon after their return to the ranks.

The final game of the day at 3.30pm is between University and Kingborough Lions United.

University will be strengthened by the inclusion of Brook Teale, Damien Bones, Nigel Blundell and Julian Proud.

Taka Manaka and Aaron Hindmarsh are still away and will be sorely missed.

The Lions are still without injured midfielder Charles White, and Ross Hinkley may start on the bench again because of ankle problems.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey walter, when is the div 1 preview going to be available

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, it's not! The Mercury did not want it. But, you'll find the preview on this site ("Relegated Teams to do battle in Summer Cup")a couple of article before this one.

Anonymous said...

Walter i count myself lucky to be able to read blog rather than the muckery , saves on newsprint and cost .
Ar you aware of any rep games this year or is the rumour of belt tightening true??

Anonymous said...

Winners - Sth, Olympic, Clarence, Kingbro