Return to NPL inevitable, says Knights coach

GLENORCHY Knights coach Franco Previdi says his side is feeling confident ahead of tomorrow’s League Cup semifinal against Olympia and believes it is “only a matter of time” before the Knights will be back in the NPL.

Glenorchy has enjoyed a run of good form in recent weeks after claiming the Southern League title and defeating NPL club Launceston City in last week’s League Cup quarter-final.

Despite suffering a 4-2 loss to the Warriors in this year’s Lakoseljac Cup final, Previdi believes the club’s past performances will be of little importance when the two sides meet tomorrow.

“I personally think every game is different,” he said.

“It’s hard to predict, but we’re confident that our players will go there and give it the best they can.”

The Knights coach said that coming up against NPL clubs was the perfect experience for his players as the club now strives for an NPL rebirth. “It’s certainly good preparation for us,” Previdi said.

“We believe that eventually we’ll get to the NPL. It’s only a matter of time.”

Warriors coach Kenny Weston is hopeful his side can advance to the League Cup final despite missing key players, including Jakub Sklenar, who scored in last week’s win over Hobart Zebras. The striker will be unavailable because of study commitments.

“We’ll be missing him, and we’re still missing Shane Cartwright, too,” Weston said.

“But the boys we bring in will step up and do their job.

“We hope to please the home crowd by playing good football that can get us through to the final.”

In the other semi-final, South Hobart will be hoping a win over Northern Rangers can boost the club’s hunt for more silverware this year. The two sides meet at Darcy St tomorrow.

Olympia well host Glenorchy at 6.30pm tomorrow at Warrior Park.