Modbury v Adelaide Comets
South Australia PlayStation4 National Premier League Round 4 

When: Saturday, March 7^th. Kick-off 3pm
Where: Jet Park, Corner Golden Grove & Milne Roads, RIDGEHAVEN 

Teams: 

Modbury: F. Rinaldo, 12 P. Reilly, 2 M. Costantini, 3 N. Green, 18 T. Henderson, 14 K. Mcnally, 5 A. Polisena, 8 D. Shaksi, 4 M. Coull, 19 A. Lindsay, 6 G. Zollo, 7 R. Devlin, 9 S. Maio, 16 M. Marcinko 

Adelaide Comets: M. Bouzalas, E. Demourtzidis, P. Deruvo, Z. Hristodoulopoulos, J. Karatzas, D. Makridis, K. Nash, E. Ramos, P. Sourjani, M. Tesema, S. Tesfagabr, S. Warner, Z. Waters, D. Zerillo 

Form: 

Modbury: L L D 

Round 1: Modbury 1-3 Pirates, Jet Park
Round 2: Adelaide Blue Eagles 6-0 Modbury, Marden Sports Complex
Round 3: Croydon 1-1 Modbury, Polonia Reserve

Adelaide Comets: W L W

Round 1: Adelaide Comets 1-0 Para Hills, Santos Stadium
Round 2: MetroStars 1-0 Adelaide Comets, TK Shutter Reserve
Round 3: Pirates 1-2 Adelaide Comets, Pirate Park

Preview:

Modbury have gained confidence following a breakthrough result and host the impressive Adelaide Comets at Jet Park in Round 4 of the South Australia PlayStation4 National Premier League on Saturday.

The newly promoted Jets are on the board following last week’s 1-1 draw with champions Croydon, where Nicholas Green saw his opener cancelled out.

Modbury had lost the opening two matches with nine goals conceded and coach Jason Trimboli says tweaks made helped them to the draw with the Kings.

“I was very impressed and happy with the result. The boys worked hard and we tried a few different things that worked on the night,” he noted.

“We made personnel and structural changes, were a bit tighter in defence and stifled them through the centre.

“It was very encouraging. The players have belief from it – not that they didn’t before, but to get a result at Croydon is great.”

In assessing Modbury’s start to the season, Trimboli admits he had hoped to get a win on the board by this stage.

The coach is expecting a tightly contested affair with Adelaide Comets.

"I’m not extremely happy to have just one point, I would’ve liked a win. But with Adelaide Blue Eagles and Croydon it has been a tough start.

“I see the game against Comets as being extremely tough.

“They’ve had tight games so far and are not conceding a lot of goals, so it will be close on Saturday.”

Adelaide Comets have started the season with two wins and a loss, recovering from a slender defeat at MetroStars to down the Pirates 2-1.

Coach Jim Karatzas believes it was important to hit back quickly.

“It was a good, tough performance from the guys. We went down to nine at one stage and showed our strength,” he said.

“After MetroStars, where I thought we were a bit unlucky, it was important to get a win on the weekend.”

Comets were the surprise team of last season, recovering from a poor start to roar into the top six finals series for the first time.

Aiming to repeat the feat in 2015, Karatzas says no side can be underestimated as they prepare to face the Jets.

“The difference this year is the players believe more. There is a belief we can be one of the best. When the points need to be won they come up with the goods. They are tougher mentally and fitter.

“We’ve worked on our defensive structure and have had tight games so far.

“Modbury were unlucky not to beat Croydon – that speaks for itself. They haven’t started too well, but then again we didn’t either last year.

“You can’t underestimate any side. We prepare for this game as we would against MetroStars or West Adelaide.”

Article by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta