R10 Wrap: Adelaide Blue Eagles v Raiders
Anthony Dimas netted twice as Adelaide Blue Eagles cruised to a 4-1 victory over Raiders in Round 10 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia at Marden Sports Complex on Saturday.
Dimas was on target in either half, while Alemayo Kebede and Yvan Boyokino also found the back of the net. Pietro Piantedosi netted a late consolation in a disappointing first game in charge at Raiders for Robbie Matosevic.
Blue Eagles attacker Fortunato Filletti praised a good team effort as the catalyst for their success.
“We came in like any other game, we were focused and in the end got the win,” he said.
“I thought we played well. We stuck to our structure and our game plan throughout. We put our chances away and that was the difference between the sides.
“It is always good to get a big win and we will look to build from here.”
Matosevic replaced Joel Porter at Raiders during the week and defender Matthew Mullen said it is hard to see instant change.
“A new coach comes in with new ideas and it will take time to adjust. Can’t expect it to happen overnight,” he said.
“Going forward we rushed things and we didn’t keep possession as we did last week.
“Blue Eagles had the smarts to keep the ball and made us run. When we got the ball we were too tired to do anything.
“We need to continue where we are going at training and listen to the coach. What he wants to do is positive. We must be smarter on the ball.”
Raiders had a glorious chance to open the scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, but David Carosi fired wide of the target when one-on-one with Blue Eagles goalkeeper Pedram Sourjani.
Evan Kounavelis was dangerous throughout and his 15th minute cross was turned over the top by Dimas.
The same pair combined for the opening goal after 25 minutes. Kounavelis found Dimas, who placed his shot in the bottom corner, beyond the reach of Deale Chamberlain.
The home side nearly doubled the advantage two minutes later, but Boyokino was denied by the woodwork.
Matthew Mullen was twice required to clear the ball off the line to keep Raiders in it. He first denied Hirofumi Kochi in the 29th minute, then Boyokino two minutes later. Chamberlain had to be quick to get down for the latter and smother the ball as Dimas looked to pounce on the rebound.
However, there was little Raiders could do to stop Kabede’s powerful and accurate drive from distance in the 35th minute which doubled the lead.
Dimas grabbed his second goal nine minutes after the interval as he guided a Boyokino free kick past Chamberlain.
Kounavelis spurned the chance to add a fourth when he dragged a shot wide when through on goal.
Substitute Antoni Panagoulias crossed the ball for Boyokino to get his goal, tapping in from close range in the 77th minute.
Raiders grabbed a consolation as Sourjani misjudged a corner and Piantedosi was on hand to head in the loose ball.
Alex Cosmidis had only Sourjani to beat in injury time, but shot wide of the far post.
Written by Luca Cetta - @l_cetta
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