Zebras’ chance to reclaim top spot

THE Hobart Zebras are ready to bounce back from a tough few weeks in their top-of-thetable Round 7 clash with Launceston City, says US import Isky Van Doorne.

The Zebras started the season in fine style but stumbled in recent weeks — thumped 5-0 by the Kingborough Lions in Round 4, and held to a 1-1 draw with bottom side Clarence United last week.

Ladder-leading Launceston is the only undefeated team in the league, with four wins and two draws from six games.

Top spot in the NPL Tas- mania will be up for grabs when the sides meet at KGV on Sunday.

Van Doorne is backing his team to reclaim its top form.

“It’s still early on, but I think we still have a lot of really good football left to play. I think we just need to get back on that right track,” Van Doorne said.

“Especially last weekend our performance was there, we just didn’t have the finishing product at the end.

“This is only our second game at KGV, so it will be good to be back home.”

Van Doorne played with Launceston’s Niko Giantsopoulos and Tyler Fischer in the US, and is looking forward to taking on his former teammates.

“We’re pretty close, so there’s been lots of friendly banter, but I think that will help motivate all three of us,” he said.

Launceston coach Jez Kenth said his team had exceeded expectations to date this season, having finished sixth last year, but he has also been impressed with the Zebras, and says his side will go in as the underdog.

“There is no real weakness in their squad,” Kenth said.

“They are clearly hot favourites, being at home. We have to play at our full potential to get a result . . . one mistake and they will punish us.”

Olympia Warriors and Clarence United meet in the season’s first instalment of the Eastern Shore derby at Warrior Park tomorrow.

The sixth-placed Warriors will start favourites, but Clarence has picked up two draws from its past two matches.

Third-placed Devonport Strikers take on the seventhplaced Lions at Valley Rd in tomorrow’s other match.

Fourth and fifth meet on Sunday when South Hobart travels up to play the Northern Rangers at the NTCA.