PS4 NPL Tasmania Round 2 Preview

After an exciting opening round Tasmania’s top tier of football heats up again with two tantalizing tussles on Good Friday to commence Round 2.

ROUND 2 SNAPSHOT

  • The champions look to bounce back against the Strikers
  • The black and white armies go toe to toe
  • South Hobart face the Lions in Summer Cup rematch
  • New kids on the block Clarence chase first points against Rangers

Sister clubs collide as Hobart JEEP Zebras host Launceston City from 2:30PM. Both teams enter the new round confident after first round victories.

The Zebras are fresh off a comfortable 5-1 victory over City’s arch rivals Northern Rangers. The Hobart club will be looking to inflict a similar result upon a second northern outfit in as many weeks.

Luke Huigsloot showed his worth last week with an opening round hattrick in a second half Zebras demolition, the tall centre forward will no doubt be a marked man this week.

“Pleased with the final outcome as we drew with Rangers in all games for 2015, so to get a win and a good start to the season was what we needed,” Coach Chris Hey said.

“It was good to see Huigi (Luke Huigsloot) rewarded for a good work rate, but this is a team sport and he knows without good quality service he is not in that position to put them in the back of the net.  Both Michael Mairano and Henry Moody had their first hit outs and will get better with each game.”

Hey revealed at a press conference on Thursday that as well as their recent arrivals the Zebras would likely call on more arrivals. The Zebras head honcho expects as many as four returns/arrivals within the next month, with Tyler Harrison, Graham Wright, Aaron Cairns and New South Welshman Sam Conway all likely to join the club. Added to these arrivals, James Sherman is also on his way back from injury and will return to first squad duties in the approaching weeks.

“There appears to be a good vibe around the squad at the moment and I think this is due to the player’s awareness of the current squad strength and what is yet to come in terms of players, so everyone is on edge to maintain their place in the starting 11,” Hey explained.

Hey is expecting a stern challenge this week up against a young City side on the rise.

“I was impressed with City last week and there will be nothing in this game.  Lino has certainly built a strong group who respect him as a coach and have a strong work ethic for one another.

“We will need to disrupt the influence of Carlo Coppari through the front third of the park as he was dangerous whenever he was on the ball and bought players into the game around him.  Patience and building the game up with clinical finishing will be out key.

“We need to be more efficient in front of goal and at least hit the target to make the keeper have to take action, rather than blast away.”

CLICK HERE for a full preview of all the Round 2 matches.

 

Playstation 4 National Premier Leagues (NPL) Tasmania Round 2

Good Friday
Hobart JEEP Zebras v Launceston City – 2:30PM/Friday 25 March 2016 (KGV Football Park, Glenorchy)
Olympia FC Warriors v Devonport Strikers -3:00PM/Friday 25 March 2016 (Warrior Park, Warrane)

Saturday
South Hobart v Kingborough Lions – 2:00PM/Saturday 26 March 2016 (Darcy Street, South Hobart)
Northern Rangers v Clarence United – 2:00PM/Saturday 26 March 2016 (KGV Football Park, Glenorchy)