South Hobart can take over at the top of the NPL Tasmania standings if they beat current leaders Kingborough Lions United at South Hobart Oval tomorrow.
South will have Jayden Hey back in the squad, but there will be no other changes.
“It’ll be a difficult game for us based on their physicality and current form,” said South Hobart coach, Ken Morton.
“They beat us in the Summer Cup Final, but we’ve got a chance if we play to our strengths.
“We’ve got a chance, but they’ve stamped themselves as at least a top-four side this year.”
Kingborough may be without defender Byungatea Ahn, who could be serving a two-week suspension after being sent off recently.
Third-placed Glenorchy Knights will have to deal with several injury problems when they travel to Launceston to take on bottom-side Riverside Olympic.
“Adam Gorrie is out for the season after tearing an ACL against Kingborough,” said Knights coach, James Sherman.
“Jack Bowman will be out because of a toe injury, while Alex Bellini and Panari Sculthorpe also have injuries that may mean they’re still two or three weeks away.
“I’ve even been registered in case I’m needed and we’ll probably bring three players up from our Championship side.”
Joffrey N’Koso will be playing his final game for the Knights as he leaves on Wednesday to join Victorian outfit Pascoe Vale.
“Riverside are an awkward team and they have a style of play they try to enforce when they’re at home,” Sherman said.
“It’ll be a difficult game, but we’ve got a nice little system going even when we’re missing key players, so we’ll see what happens.”
Sixth-ranked Clarence Zebras travel to Valley Road tomorrow to face reigning champions Devonport Strikers, who are currently fourth.
They have lost the services of defender-cum-midfielder Daniel Baumgartner, who has returned to the United States.
Lachie Burt and Finleh Crespan are injured and coach Franco Previdi said he would have a very young bench with at least three players under 17 years of age.
“It will be very hard for us, but we’ll try and have a good work-out and play well,” said Previdi.
Fifth-placed Olympia Warriors host second-last Launceston City at Warrior Park tomorrow.
The Warriors will be missing striker Francis Kenyi, who injured a knee on his debut last week after signing from Hobart United.
Olympia coach Rob Clarke said it was not a serious injury and Keny should only miss one game.
“Ben Curtis may get his first start after returning to the club,” Clarke said.
“We were disappointing last week and must learn to retain the ball for longer periods instead of just giving it away under pressure.”
Launceston City will still be feeling pleased with themselves after moving off the foot of the table, but they will haver to be at their best against a Warrior side that relishes the smaller artificial pitch that is their home.
The NPL Tasmania schedule for tomorrow is:
South Hobart v Kingborough Lions United (South Hobart Oval, 2pm)
Devonport Strikers v Clarence Zebras (Valley Road, 2.15pm)
Olympia Warriors v Launceston City (Warrior Park, 4.30pm)
Riverside Olympic v Glenorchy Knights (Windsor Park, 4.30pm)
NPL Tasmania (As at 23 April 2021)
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Kingborough Lions |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
7 |
12 |
|
South Hobart |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
13 |
3 |
10 |
|
Glenorchy Knights |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
11 |
5 |
10 |
|
Devonport City |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
|
Olympia Warriors |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
11 |
4 |
|
Clarence Zebras |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
8 |
12 |
3 |
|
Launceston City |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
10 |
3 |
|
Riverside Olympic |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
7 |
12 |
0 |
1 comment:
Watching kbl v sth what a poor standard game. Coach for kbl needs to rethink starting lineup. Players playing as individuals not as a team. Second half slightly better. Team did seem to play better when subs came on. Maybe if subs were bought on earlier results would have been different. This was evident when sth started playing for time with their "injuries".
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