As the National Premier League competitions across Australia continue, many of the Greek-origin clubs have begun to display signs of their peak physical condition compared to that of their opponents. Most notable among them would be Queensland’s Olympic FC, who have already managed to score 15 goals after just three games, in a clear statement of their intent to pick up what they so narrowly missed out on in the previous season after losing 2-1 against the Lions in the play-off final. Their most recent “victim” were the Redlands, who they annihilated 5-0. The Olympic from Adelaide aren’t doing much worse either, as they seemed a lot more comfortable up against the NE Metrostars, defeating them 3-1. On the other hand, the second Greek team from South Australia doesn’t seem to be doing to well, counting two losses from two games, after they went down 1-0 against the Croydon Kings. However the Greek clubs were also met with a successful start to their campaign in Tasmania, as the Olympia Warriors overcame South Hobart 2-1.
Yet another day at the office for Ben Cahn’s men who took the lead from early on and never looked back. Lucas opened the score just after eight minutes and Shol added another eleven minutes later. The first half nightmare for the team currently sitting at the bottom of the table in Queensland ended on the 27th minute when Lucas doubled his own personal tally and took the difference that separated the two teams up to three. Lucas sealed his hat-trick on the 67th, while Lofthouse closed the scoreline ten minutes afterwards. Tomorrow Olympic head to the Kawana Western Precinct to face the Sunshine Coast in their first away game of the season.
Showing a much better image from their opening game, where they were barely able to escape with a win against South Adelaide thanks to two goals late in injury time, Adelaide Olympic were confident in their showing against the Metrostars. The Greek team wanted to assert themselves from early on and broke the deadlock on the fifth minute, when a clever pass found the feet of Erba who dribbled past the keeper nicely and took the low shot from the edge of the box. Last week’s hero Pounenidis also added his name on the score sheet just two minutes afterwards, taking advantage from a great cross from the right that the keeper failed to deal with. Thomas Strain put the visitors back into the game on the 20th minute, connecting with the long pass to carry the ball past the keeper and score in the empty net, but Ricky Da Silva put it to rest on the 32nd, after blasting the ball into the back of the net with a great shot from just outside the area. Now Adelaide Olympic will look toward today’s game with the Comets, hoping to expand their winning streak.
From all Greek teams that have started their season, the only one that has yet to taste victory is West Adelaide. Just like in their opening game of the season, they were once again unlucky in their efforts, despite playing against the team currently topping the table in South Australia, the Croydon Kings. One goal by Trimboli on the 50th minute was enough to make the difference between the two teams, leaving the Greek club still searching for their first points in the new league. They will hope to find them at the Marden Sports Complex against the Blue Eagles on Tuesday.
The Warriors also kicked off their season with a win as they beat South Hobart 2-1. The final result might make it appear as if this was a hard-fought victory, yet the home side dominated the game and took the lead after 37 minutes thanks to Ladic’s effort. The second half had more of the same and Ryan put the game to rest on the 69th minute. All the visitors managed to accomplish was to reduce the margin of their loss thanks to Desouza’s effort in injury time. The Warriors will have a difficult game on their hands today as they go to Valley Road to play against current state champions Devonport.
At the same time, even more Greek clubs enter the pitch this weekend within the New South Wales state leagues. More specifically, Sydney Olympic will begin their attempt to protect their state championship at home against Sutherland, while Hamilton Olympic will hope to reach the play offs in the season that began yesterday at Rockwell Park versus the Weston Bears.