The Western Border Soccer season heads into cup mode this weekend as the restructured version of the Belgiornos Cup moves into the semi final stage.
For some it will provide a welcome break for others it will provide the opportunity to take the first stage towards mid season silverware for the first time in the competitions history.
International soccer club will take on Blue Lake at Casadio Park and The Sharks will take on Apollo at the home of Blue Lake Soccer Club, Malseed Park.
Inter finished top of group A in the first rounds of the competiton, held in the preseason and as a result will take on Blue Lake who finished in second spot in group B.
The Sharks cruised through group B topping the table and will take on current premiers Apollo who finished second in group A.
Little has changed since the minor rounds of the competition were held, International will go in as unbackable favourites against Blue Lake and very little can separate The Sharks and Apollo two of the leagues improvers in recent years.
The cup will provide the opportunity for international to remind the football community that they are not to be forgotten and despite the recent dominance of Apollo they are undoubtable the most successful team in wbsa for last two decades.
For some it will provide a welcome break for others it will provide the opportunity to take the first stage towards mid season silverware for the first time in the competitions history.
International soccer club will take on Blue Lake at Casadio Park and The Sharks will take on Apollo at the home of Blue Lake Soccer Club, Malseed Park.
Inter finished top of group A in the first rounds of the competiton, held in the preseason and as a result will take on Blue Lake who finished in second spot in group B.
The Sharks cruised through group B topping the table and will take on current premiers Apollo who finished second in group A.
Little has changed since the minor rounds of the competition were held, International will go in as unbackable favourites against Blue Lake and very little can separate The Sharks and Apollo two of the leagues improvers in recent years.
The cup will provide the opportunity for international to remind the football community that they are not to be forgotten and despite the recent dominance of Apollo they are undoubtable the most successful team in wbsa for last two decades.
International vs. Blue Lake
On recent form Blue Lake stand no chance against the might of international. Under new coach Olu Delalu Blue Lake have struggled this year and after seven rounds in the wbsa season they have only one win to speak of. The return of keeper Andy Armandi and star player Tritian Guess has inspired Blue Lake in recent weeks however it is a lack of depth over the park that will be their greatest problem come Sunday. Blue Lake have always seemed to find something in the Cup competition and back in 2009 it was the Rangers that took the cup as International claimed their sixth straight premiership.
International are looking good in the league this season and have had a great cup campaign so far. Coach Lou Zaccardo has integrated some fresh faces into his line up this year and so far it is paying off. The interesting factor for International is that they will not have played a game in nearly three weeks due to the SAJSA and the cancellation of their fixture last week due to a flooded pitch. This clearly would have hampered training this week and will make for a muddy encounter come Sunday.
On recent form Blue Lake stand no chance against the might of international. Under new coach Olu Delalu Blue Lake have struggled this year and after seven rounds in the wbsa season they have only one win to speak of. The return of keeper Andy Armandi and star player Tritian Guess has inspired Blue Lake in recent weeks however it is a lack of depth over the park that will be their greatest problem come Sunday. Blue Lake have always seemed to find something in the Cup competition and back in 2009 it was the Rangers that took the cup as International claimed their sixth straight premiership.
International are looking good in the league this season and have had a great cup campaign so far. Coach Lou Zaccardo has integrated some fresh faces into his line up this year and so far it is paying off. The interesting factor for International is that they will not have played a game in nearly three weeks due to the SAJSA and the cancellation of their fixture last week due to a flooded pitch. This clearly would have hampered training this week and will make for a muddy encounter come Sunday.
The Round Ball Predictor – International 4, Blue Lake 1
Gambier City Sharks vs. Apollo
This is undoubtable the fixture of the round with both teams in good form and keen to win some silverware. For the sharks a win would put them into their first cup final and would be the second time they have beaten the boys from Webb St this season. Under John Bruttomesso they have gone from strength to strength in recent years and their squad, similar to Apollo’s has improved since last year. In the premiership, only a few weeks ago Bruttomessos men were too adventurous for Apollo and despite only winning by one goal it could have been more. Derek Ferguson would have learnt from that game and will field the strongest side he can on Sunday. Both sides have been tough to score against this year and boast good keepers and quality in defence. Apollo have tended to play three at the back at this was exploited by the pace of the Kasole and the strength of Kennet in their last outing. Apollo on the other hand will need to take their chances and score against the best keeper in the league. Norton Fuller has been in great form again this year and could be the difference in this one. He is red hot and after training in Adelaide over the long weekend will be keen to perform well. The player to watch is Matthew Weistra who has struggled this year since returning from an injury. He needs to improve and find the back of the net.
This match will tell us a lot about both sides and the premiership, if the sharks win the season may take on a new dimension if Apollo take the spoils they will certainly relish the chance to take on the old foe International in the final. Of course Blue Lake may have something to say about that.
This is undoubtable the fixture of the round with both teams in good form and keen to win some silverware. For the sharks a win would put them into their first cup final and would be the second time they have beaten the boys from Webb St this season. Under John Bruttomesso they have gone from strength to strength in recent years and their squad, similar to Apollo’s has improved since last year. In the premiership, only a few weeks ago Bruttomessos men were too adventurous for Apollo and despite only winning by one goal it could have been more. Derek Ferguson would have learnt from that game and will field the strongest side he can on Sunday. Both sides have been tough to score against this year and boast good keepers and quality in defence. Apollo have tended to play three at the back at this was exploited by the pace of the Kasole and the strength of Kennet in their last outing. Apollo on the other hand will need to take their chances and score against the best keeper in the league. Norton Fuller has been in great form again this year and could be the difference in this one. He is red hot and after training in Adelaide over the long weekend will be keen to perform well. The player to watch is Matthew Weistra who has struggled this year since returning from an injury. He needs to improve and find the back of the net.
This match will tell us a lot about both sides and the premiership, if the sharks win the season may take on a new dimension if Apollo take the spoils they will certainly relish the chance to take on the old foe International in the final. Of course Blue Lake may have something to say about that.
The Round Ball Predictor – Too close to call… Extra Time & Penalties may be needed.
The WBSA reminds everyone that games are scheduled to start 30 minutes earlier than usual fixtures to allow for additional play that may be required throughout the day. The times below may vary depending on preceding games.
Matches at Casadio Park (International’s Home Ground)
8:30am Under 12’s Centrals V Sharks
9:40am Under 17’s International V Sharks
11:15am B Grade Centrals V Blue Lake
1:05pm Under 14’s International V Blue Lake
2:30pm A Grade International V Blue Lake
Matches at Malseed Park (Blue Lake’s Home Ground)
8:30am Under 12’s Portland V Apollo
9:40am Under 17’s Millicent V Apollo
11:15am B Grade Apollo V Sharks
1:05pm Under 14’s Portland V Apollo
2:30pm A Grade Sharks V Apollo
Junior Games will be decided by penalty shoot-out if match drawn at Full Time.
Senior Matches will play extra time & if required will then have a penalty shoot-out.
The winners of the above matches will play in the Belgiorno Cup Final on July 3rd at Bishop Road, the home of Gambier Centrals Soccer Club
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