Finals Week 3 Preview: West Adelaide v West Torrens Birkalla

West Adelaide v West Torrens Birkalla
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia Preliminary Final 

When: Saturday, September 5th. Kick-off 2:30pm
Where: Adelaide Shores Football Centre, West Beach Road, WEST BEACH

Form: 

West Adelaide: D D L 

Round 26: Adelaide Comets 2-2 West Adelaide, SA Athletics Stadium
Major Semi Final First Leg: Adelaide Blue Eagles 1-1 West Adelaide, Marden Sports Complex
Major Semi Final Second Leg: West Adelaide 1-4 Adelaide Blue Eagles, Adelaide Shores Football Centre 

West Torrens Birkalla: W W W 

Round 26: West Torrens Birkalla 4-2 White City, Jack Smith Park
Elimination Final: West Torrens Birkalla 0-0 Campbelltown City (West Torrens Birkalla wins 5-4 on penalties), Adelaide Shores Football Centre
Elimination Semi Final: West Torrens Birkalla 1-0 Adelaide City, Jack Smith Park 

Preview: 

A spot in the Grand Final is on the line as West Adelaide hosts West Torrens Birkalla in the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia Preliminary Final at Adelaide Shores Football Centre this Saturday. 

West Adelaide was in the box seat to directly qualify for the decider after a 1-1 away draw in the first leg against Adelaide Blue Eagles, but conceded four times in an incredible second half of the return. 

Rob Lippett felt the Blue and Whites panicked after going behind. 

“It was disappointing on our behalf. We spoke about it earlier this week and felt we chased it too much and panicked after they scored the second,” he said. 

“The first two goals were avoidable and after that we took risks and got caught on the counter. 

“We regrouped at training and have put it behind us. The focus is on this week.” 

West Adelaide defeated Birkalla in Round 2, before a draw in the second fixture. Paul Pezos’ side has not triumphed in its last three matches as it aims to go one better than last season’s exit at the same stage. 

Lippett respects Birkalla but believes the focus should be on what they need to do. 

“What’s important is to be ourselves and to make sure players are not doing anything over the top. We have to stay as a team. 

“Birkalla are a good team with great young players. They are dangerous going forward and quick in midfield. 

“But we need to focus on what we can do well and that can get us over the line.” 

Birkalla defeated Campbelltown City on penalties in the first week of finals action, before a single-goal win over Adelaide City last Saturday to qualify for the Preliminary Final. 

Winger Ryan Kitto said the team’s confidence is building. 

“It was a very good team performance. Everybody did their job well and we are hoping for the same when we face West Adelaide,” he stated. 

“The confidence within the squad is building after these last few wins. We know that if we play to our potential that we can do well.” 

Birkalla last qualified for the finals in 2011 and was not expected to be in the reckoning this term, but is 90 minutes from the Grand Final. While West Adelaide is struggling for recent wins, Birkalla has triumphed in each of its past three encounters. 

However, Kitto does not believe momentum will be a factor in this game. 

“Momentum doesn’t count. West Adelaide are a very good team, they will bounce back and if anything the loss last week will make them hungrier. 

“They are very good all over the park, they have clinical players and others who can make something from nothing. We’ll have to be switched on at the back at all times. 

“I think it will come down to which team can produce its best, which team can do the best job all over the park.” 

Article by Luca Ceta - @l_cetta




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