Taroona vs Glenorchy Knights
Date: Saturday September 5
Venue: Kelvedon Park
Kick-off: 2:00 PM
Road to the quarter finals: Taroona: R16 1-8 vs Metro Glenorchy Knights: R16 5-0 vs Northern Rangers
League record: Taroona: 3-3-1 (sixth in Southern Championship) Glenorchy Knights: 5-0-2 (second in NPL TAS)
Preview:
A look at the numbers tell the story of a bizarre season for Taroona. They currently sit in sixth on the Southern Championship table, despite a plus-11 goal difference that is on par with the third-placed Hobart United. Digging a little deeper, a pair of thumping wins have been offset by draws against teams well below them, leaving them stranded in the mid-table. Still, at their best they can challenge anyone in their league. This game is a different proposition altogether, though, as they will host one the form sides of the NPL. The Knights have won five of their last six games, with the only loss in that span coming on the road against the league-leading Strikers. They’re producing at both ends of the park—even though their league-leading attack grabs plenty of attention, they have also conceded just seven goals (second in the league). That will just as important against a Taroona side with multiple avenues to goal, as Oliver Maxwell (six goals in six games) and Jake Stuart (five goals in six games) have both been able to regularly hit the scoreboard.
Key player: Lachlan Hart, Glenorchy Knights
Much like the rest of his defence, Hart continues to go under the radar as one of the more reliable goalkeepers in the state. It’s hard to know how many shots he will face in a matchup like this, but the element of surprise can be especially dangerous for the man between the posts. He will need to be on his toes for the full 90 minutes regardless.
Hobart United vs Launceston City
Date: Saturday September 5
Venue: KGV Football Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
Road to the quarter finals: Hobart United: Q 8-0 vs South East United, R16 1-4 vs Somerset Launceston City: R16 2-1 vs Devonport Strikers
League record: Hobart United: 5-0-2 (third in Southern Championship) Launceston City: 0-1-6 (eighth in NPL TAS)
Preview:
If you’re looking for a classic cup upset, this could be the place to find it. Launceston City have struggled to find their groove all season in the NPL, and they will travel down the midlands to take on one of the most dynamic teams in the Southern Championship. There should be plenty of goals in this one too, as the top flight’s second-leakiest defence will try to stifle the south’s second-best attack. City will have their hands full against Hobart’s swag of attacking talent, with John Buga (seven goals in six games) and John Wani (six goals in seven games) both prolific early in the season. They have already flexed their goalscoring muscles in the cup with 12 goals in their two games so far. The talent differential between leagues is significant, though, and City will be hoping to showcase the skills that have been largely stifled in the NPL. They did show some promising signs last round against the high-flying Glenorchy Knights, but their attack has struggled all season long to create chances close to goal. That could change against a team that has given up almost two goals per game in the Southern Championship.
Key player: Lindsay Millington, Launceston City
The City captain returned from a knee injury last week, and that match fitness will be crucial as he looks to marshal his side from the backline against a team with pace to burn. In matchups like these it often only takes one slip-up for heads to drop, especially with a young team like Launceston’s. Senior players like Millington will need to set the tone from the outset.
South Hobart vs Kingborough Lions
Date: Sunday September 6
Venue: Darcy Street
Kick-off: 2:00 PM
Road to the quarter finals: South Hobart: R16 2-4 vs Launceston United Kingborough Lions: R16 5-1 vs Clarence Zebras
League record: South Hobart: 4-0-3 (third in NPL TAS) Kingborough Lions: 3-3-1 (fourth in NPL TAS)
Preview:
It was a slaughter when these teams met three weeks ago as South cruised to a 5-0 win at Lightwood Park. They will have home ground advantage thrown in for good measure this time, and their fans always turn out in force for the big games. Their form has been a little shakier over the last fortnight, though, with a narrow win over Riverside followed by a loss to Olympia last week. That continued what has been an up-and-down season for the NPL powerhouse, but with their youngest team in some time that is hardly surprising. Those younger players are continuing to blossom, with the likes of Sam Berezansky, Sam Tooze and Kasper Hallam improving with each passing week. They will take confidence from their play in their last matchup with the Lions, just as Kingborough may feel some lingering effects from their listless display. That remains their only loss for the season, and they have been hard to read since with draws against Olympia and Devonport much less convincing than the scores might suggest. It will be interesting to see if they can put up more of a fight against South this time out, or if they might have found their bogey team.
Key player: Keenan Douce, Kingborough Lions
Douce is due for a game-breaking performance, if only because he works too hard for the full 90 minutes to ever truly be slowed down. His pace and drive down the wings make him a dangerous weapon in defence and attack, and the Lions will need him to have an impact at both ends of the park if they want to advance.
Olympia Warriors vs University
Date: Sunday September 6
Venue: Warrior Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
Road to the quarter finals: Olympia Warriors: R16 10-1 vs Beachside University: R16 4-0 vs Riverside Olympic
Preview:
University have enjoyed an outstanding season to date, sitting second in Southern Championship with the most goals in the competition. The only team ahead of them? The reserves side for their opponents this week, the Olympia Warriors. A 4-1 loss in the opening round of the season is all that splits the two, but Uni has performed well since and should fancy their chances of reversing that result against the seniors. Olympia’s NPL side is surely still adjusting after the shock departure of head coach Andrew Brown. They have responded well since, though, with a 2-1 win over South Hobart last round getting their season back on track. Jack Ryan’s return to England is a significant blow, as the centre-forward is leading the NPL golden boot race and remained the focal point in the attacking third. They still have plenty of attacking talent available, but this will be the first look at how it may be differently utilised.
Key player: Sam Platts, University
If goals are currency in football, then Platts is one of Tasmania’s richest men. He’s the runaway leader for the Southern Championship golden boot, with ten goals in just seven games. That kind of record doesn’t come through luck, and he will undoubtedly be a focus for the Warriors defence.