Cup final rematch to savour

GLENORCHY Knights coach Franco Previdi insists revenge will not be a motivating force for his side in today’s Lakoseljac Cup round of 16 clash against defending champions Olympia Warriors.

The quest for Tasmania’s place in the nationwide FFA Cup starts in earnest today, with the winner of the Lakoseljac Cup earning the coveted spot.

Southern Championship side Glenorchy beat NPL Tasmania opponents in three consecutive Cup matches last year before falling 4-2 to the Warriors in the final, but Previdi was not dwelling on that result ahead of the rematch at Warrior Park.

“No, this year is another year, we enjoy playing in the Lakoseljac Cup, we’re going to take the game as it comes,” Previdi said.

Both teams come into the match in strong form with the Knights having won the Summer Cup and the Warriors coming away with a win and a draw from their opening two NPL Tasmania matches.

With the top team in the second tier set to be promoted to NPL Tasmania as the league expands at the end of the year, Previdi said his team’s focus would be split between the two competitions.

“Our focus this year is doing well not only in the Lakoseljac Cup, but the most important one is the Southern Championship,” he said.

Olympia defender Alex Holmes said the Warriors were well aware of the threats the Knights possessed.

“Cup matches are always huge, especially for the traditional clubs, so Knights and Olympia, it’s as big as it gets,” Holmes said.

“Discipline will be a huge thing, they’ve got a lot of Xfactors so if we can nullify them and grind away, I think we can get the result.”

Clarence United hosts South Hobart at Wentworth Park and the Kingborough Lions take on Launceston City at KGV in the two all-NPL Tasmania fixtures today.

The Hobart Zebras and Northern Rangers both travel to play Northern Championship opposition, with the Zebras taking on Riverside Olympic at Windsor Park and the Rangers facing Ulverstone.

The Devonport Strikers take on Southern Championship outfit New Town Eagles at Clare Street, Southern Championship clubs Taroona and University meet at Kelvedon Park and Hobart United hosts Somerset at Gunn Oval in today’s remaining fixtures.