LAKOSLEJAC CUP
NORTHERN
RANGERS
Olympia FC will go into the round of 16 match as one of the favourites to progress to the inaugural FFA Cup.
Tasmania has been allocated one spot for the national knockout competition meaning the winner of the 2014 Lakoseljac Cup will represent the Apple Isle.
Olympia’s form has been nothing short of disciplined as they are still yet to concede in competition fixtures this year.
A lot of this is due to the twin towers at the back Alex Holmes and Jake Vandermey. Holmes and Vandermey have already established a great playing relationship giving the rights as the best central defensive pairing in the state. Add to this to consistent and stable Dmitri Nester in goals and the Rangers will need to take the limited chances the Olympia defence allow if they are any chance on Saturday.
While Olympia’s pre season has been spot on, Rangers has been up and down.
They were defeated by Southern Premier League side Beachside FC 2-1 and only scraped past another SPL side in Nelson Eastern Suburbs 1-0 after a Harry Thanhausser special lifted them over the line. In their first match against Clarence United they were much more convincing but still allowed the revamped red and Blacks two goals.
Last week however they won the Steve Hudson Cup which would be of some benefit leading in to this crucial encounter.
”It was good to get the win in the Hudson Cup and we had some solid performances there. I think we are probably a couple of weeks behind where we want to be though in terms of fitness and integrating the 3-4 new players into the squad. Saying that I know the there are some quality players among the team and they all like to play the big games and hopefully they
will be up and about and get a win,” stated Rangers goal keeper Marshall Pooley.
Both sides have acknowledged that now the FFA Cup is the progression from the Lakoseljac Cup it will no longer be used as a week off.
“In previous years the first round of the cup has been more of a sounding board for where we are at before the season gets underway and if we get through to the second round then we will put focus on it. With the new format I think every team has one eye on the cup and would be thinking that would be a nice to play a big team and see what you can do. We are no exception to that so I think sat will be a bit of both we will be leaving nothing in shed and will go all out to win it but at the same time we will be wanting to feel out where we are at and get a look at Olympia before we meet them in the league,” stated Pooley.
While Olympia’s Ben Phillips had this to say about the importance of the fixture “it's a great opportunity for a Tassie team to have a crack at some of the bigger mainland sides and possibly even an A League club. It would be an awesome experience and I think it provides that extra incentive to win the cup.”
Phillips who has now cemented a starting position in the Olympia line up will be looking to consolidate the good form he took in to the Summer Cup.
“I've played two and a half games now since coming back from a holiday in Queensland and I haven't quite been at 100% with my touch and fitness. Playing in a new position this season and moving further up the pitch is exciting and I'm starting to get used to the new role. I've felt good in training this week so hopefully I can take that out onto the park on Saturday and put in a solid performance for the team.”
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Team List
Marshall Pooley (GK)
Shane Brassington
Adam Edwards
Nick Lanau-Atkinson
Patrick Lanau-Atkinson
Ayden Demeijer
Daniel Sparshott
Yitay Towns
Harry Thannhauser
Ryan McCarragher
Mitchell Dent
Luke Tuma
Gabriel Tams
Aiden Rigby
Todd Hingston (C)
Mike McKenna
Stefan Hamilton
Ashley Fisher
Tenzing Anderson
Issa Dumbuya