Victorian heavyweights Avondale and South Melbourne go head-to-head in a Preliminary Round 4 blockbuster at ABD Stadium on Wednesday night (7:30pm AEDT KO).
The two sides currently sit in first and second position on the NPL Victoria league table after six rounds of action.
South have enjoyed a scintillating start to the season, winning six from six so far and scoring a league high 19 goals in the process.
Hellas come into Wednesday’s clash off the back of a 2-0 win over Green Gully courtesy of goals from Marco Jankovic and Harrison Sawyer in Ballarat at the weekend.
The Avengers sit just three points behind South in second with a shock home defeat at the hands of St Albans in Round two their only dropped points of the 2022 campaign so far.
Avondale defeated Eastern Lions 4-2 at Jack Edwards Reserve with Joey Katebian, Kristian Trajeceski and Stefan Zinni all getting on the scoresheet in their most recent outing.
Both sides reached the national rounds in 2021 with Avondale reaching the Round of 16 where they were defeated 4-1 by Wellington while South were beaten 3-0 in the Round of 32 by Melbourne City.
Avondale attacker, Liam Boland said his side were excited by the prospect of such a big game so early in their cup run, while adding his side were hungry to defend their Dockerty Cup crown.
The Australia Cup Preliminary Rounds double as Victoria’s state wide, Dockerty Cup with the sides that qualify for the Australia Cup national rounds also competing in the Semi Final stage of that competition.
“It’s exciting to have a big game this early, for people especially when we’re the top two teams at the moment so I guess there’s that talking point about it. It’s a big game definitely and we can’t wait for it,” Boland said.
“The experience of last year would’ve helped this group massively, winning our first trophy as a group was huge so obviously we want to defend the cup as well.
“It’ll be a big challenge to beat South on Wednesday as well but if there’s anyone that can do it, it’s this group.
“Hopefully we can do it, and keep our chances of defending the cup alive.”
Speaking on 3XY Sunday Extra, Hellas Head Coach, Esteban Quintas said his side were expecting a tough challenge on Wednesday night.
“In the last years Avondale, Heidelberg, Bentleigh, they were the best, this season they play six matches and win five,” Quintas said.
“I think they have one they style and they always play the same style and they have big players, (Stefan)Valentini ,(Stefan)Zinni, (Liam)Boland.
“We try to play to win every match, attacking the weak points the opponent and try and protect ourselves from the opponents strong points.
“We try to play against Avondale, like always, try to win.
“Obviously, yesterday the players finish the match, very tired and we have to think about the line up against Avondale but South Melbourne try to win always, this is the goal.”
Avondale against South is one of seven Victorian Preliminary Round 4 matches being played on Wednesday night. View the full list of fixtures here
MATCH DETAILS
Australia Cup 2022 – Preliminary Round 4: Avondale v South Melbourne
ABD Stadium, Broadmeadows
Wednesday, 30 March (7:30pm KO)
Please note: There is no live stream of tonight's match.
