5 Things to Watch for in Round 7 of the IPL
There were no major upsets in Round 6 of the Premier League, however, four clubs competed in the FFA Cup midweek which adds an extra layer of intrigue heading into this week’s action. Here are the five things I’ll be looking out for.
1 — Will Bulli kill off Wollongong United’s title hopes?
Make no mistake, Wollongong United and Bulli aren’t big fans of one another. The last meeting between these sides saw United thump Bulli 5–0 to claim the Preseason Cup final. There were mitigating circumstances for Bulli and despite their coach Matt Bailey suggesting otherwise, the club were embarrassed by the magnitude and manner of the defeat.
Over the last five season, no other side in the top flight has a better record against Bulli than United.They have met on 13 occasions (including finals) and the ledger is even with five wins either way and three draws. United have been less than convincing this season and nearly dropped points to Fernhill last weekend, however, they are coming up against a wounded Bulli outfit who will be playing their third match in six days including a heartbreaking FFA Cup exit due to a goal conceded in the 120th minute.
Saturday’s matchup promises to be a pulsating affair with Bulli looking to maintain their lead at the top as well as kill off any remaining hopes of United getting back into the title race. Bulli is my tip, just.
2 — Who will come out on top in the battle at the bottom?
It won’t be pretty but the clash between Picton and South Coast United will prove crucial in the context of the season. Neither side have picked up a point this campaign and they also the league’s bluntest attacks and leakiest defences. I am pretty confident whoever comes last will collect seven points or less so a win for either side here will almost them halfway to that mark.
I spoke with Picton captain Scott Miranda on this week’s FSC Weekly and he believes the side’s recent performances have been a noticeable improvement on their first three matches. As for South Coast, since losing late on against Fernhill in Round 4, they have gone two matches without scoring a goal while shipping eight in the process. My biggest concern from Greg Valic’s side is their lack of a focal point, they re-signed Anton Batur who played for the club in 2016, if and when he gets match fitness he may boost the side going forward.
I am predicting a draw but Picton showed last season they are capable of bustling their way to wins against sides in and around them.
3 — Can Woonona avoid being left at the bottom?
If Picton and South Coast United play out a draw on Saturday, a seventh straight defeat for Woonona would see them drop to the foot of the table. After an okay showing in preseason, a few of the Sharks faithful suggested to me they were outside hopes of making the finals, I wasn’t having a bar of that, however, I was confident they would finish well clear of the bottom.
Had it not been for the collapse of the Kemblawarra Fury, Woonona would be six rounds into the first District League season since 2012. I thought Dan McGoldrick was a solid appointment and I still believe there is a handful of decent players at Woonona, however, they simply haven’t applied themselves which was never more evident than their Round 2 defeat against Fernhill.
Woonona have only been smashed once this season and they were only easily beaten on a couple of occasions last year. Albion Park White Eagles are undefeated this season, though this will be their third match in seven days which gives the Sharks some hope. If they don’t pick something up there will be a good chance they’ll be back to where they finished the 2017 season.
4 — Jovanovski debuts in the Cringila dugout
New Cringila coach Zivko Jovanovski will take charge of his first match this weekend when the Lions visit eighth-placed Fernhill. Jovanovski took training this week and from speaking with one of the players the atmosphere was very positive.
I saw Cringila last weekend in their 2–0 defeat away to Wollongong Olympic, they played well and had Yusuke Ueda played for the Lions they perhaps would have won. The two teams directly above them (Wollongong United and Port Kembla) are outsiders this weekend so three points for Cringila would see them leapfrog back into the top five.
Also, note that this match was originally set to be a 2.30 pm kick off at Crehan Park, however, it has been reversed to Ray Robinson Field for a 5.30 pm kick off due to ground reseeding.
5 — Olympic to shift up a gear after FFA Cup exit
For mine, Wollongong Olympic have been the best side in the competition this season. Yes, they lost to Bulli, however, anyone who was at the match who says Bulli were the better side was wearing a navy blue shirt. The caveat that I will put in here is they are only the best side in the league when Jack Keating is playing.
Last weekend they backed up their 4–0 win over Wollongong United with a no thrills 2–0 win over Cringila. On Wednesday night they took on NPL 1 leaders APIA Leichhardt in the FFA Cup, they lost 4–0, however, speaking with APIA and ex-Bulli forward Jordan Murray after the match, he said he was really impressed with what Olympic had to offer.
Next up for George Antoniou’s side is a trip to Wetherall Park to face Port Kembla, the reigning Grand Final champs who despite a win last weekend are still yet to impress. In the 2017 regular season, Olympic won both encounters between these two by a combined score of 7–2 and I am predicting them to win this one by a couple on Sunday.
