Perth SC go national to chase more success
Football West News
Paul Zimarino is in red-hot form. Photo by Football West/FotoEnzo
Perth SC will hope to carry on their run of success when they represent WA in the eight-team NPL Finals Series on Sunday.
The Azzurri head east to face Sydney Olympic of Football NSW in the Elimination Final, two years after they reached the Semi Final of the national competition.
The NPL WA champions added the McInerney Ford Top Four Cup to the trophy cabinet last Saturday to continue their dream 70 year anniversary.
Now coach Ramon Falzon wants his players to rise to the occasion once more against a side he accepts are deserved favourites.
“On paper, yes,” he said. “From what I have seen they have a very strong forward line with (Alex) Sanchez and (Max) Burgess, and they play a high press. It’s a big challenge for us.
“When we were last in the NPL Series in 2016 we were superior to Devenport and it was very close against Edgeworth.
“Last week we had three games in seven days but the boys are ready to go for Sunday. They are very excited because of the trip and confident they will lift again.”
There are a few similarities between the two sides heading into Sunday’s match at Lambert Park, which will be played on artificial surface.
Like Perth SC, Sydney Olympic were not top going into the final round of NPL NSW matches but capitalised on APIA Leichhardt’s surprising home loss to Hakoah Sydney City East.
As with the Azzurri, Sydney then went on to win their post-season Grand Final, beating APIA 3-1 thanks to a double from Sanchez.
And just like Sanchez, the WA side have a goalscorer bang in form in 20-year-old Paul Zimarino.
The attacking midfielder scored two in the final round win over Joondalup United last month which helped clinch the title. And last week his second-half hat-trick proved too much for Perth Glory in the Top Four Cup Final.
One man who will be missing for Perth SC is experienced defender Adrian Madaschi.
The winners of Sunday’s match will meet either Canberra FC or Campbelltown City in the NPL Finals Series Semi Finals the following weekend.
The Final will take place on the weekend of September 29 and 30.
*Sunday’s match kicks off at 1.30pm WST and will be livestreamed on www.nationalpremierleagues.com.au
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