Dragicevic Yet To Prove Fitness
Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Getty Images
Palm Beach winger Daniel Dragicevic admits he is facing a race against time to be fit for next Tuesday’s Westfield FFA Cup clash with Central Coast Mariners.
The rampaging wide man has been integral to Sharks’ success this season in both PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland and Westfield FFA Cup competition – notably scoring the opening goal in Sharks’ Round of 32 win against Sydney City Hakoah.
A hamstring injury sustained against Olympic FC in the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Grand Final has seen him sidelined for the past four weeks.
However, the 25-year-old, who scored five goals in 24 league appearances this year and previously played at Gold Coast community club Burleigh Heads, won’t lose hope of figuring in next Tuesday’s blockbuster cup tie against the former Hyundai A-League Champions.
“At this stage I’m a fifty-fifty chance,” Dragicevic said in a Q&A posted to Sharks’ social media channels.
“The hamstring is healing but whether it heals in time, I’m not sure.”
The injury forced Dragicevic to miss Sharks’ 1-0 win over Victorian club South Springvale in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 16 as well as the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series.
“It was a bit frustrating having to watch from the stands as the boys played South Springvale, but I was just happy the team got the win,” he explained.
The 2014 season has been Dragicevic first at the club and he said he was pleased with how he had fitted into the team’s system under coach Grae Piddick.
“This has been my best ever season in senior football and I’m really enjoying it,” he said.
Dragicevic highlighted his teammates’ fighting spirit as an important component in the club’s success this year.
“Winning the Macron Cup in the pre-season gave us a lot of confidence leading into the season and also our never-say-die attitude. There were many times in the season where we had to dig deep and come from behind.”
Dragicevic suggested Palm Beach will draw on that same resolve as underdogs against the Mariners in a week’s time.
“We just need to be positive and attack them. We really have nothing to lose after the season we have had.”
“We can do it,” Dragicevic concluded.
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