Brazilian striker worry for Zebras

HOBART Zebras coach Gabriel Markaj will be wary of South striker Renato De Vecchi Marins when the two heavyweights clash on Sunday, after the Brazilian proved the difference in their most recent meeting.

The Zebras enter the Darcy St match in third place on the NPL Tasmania table after seven rounds, four points behind leader Launceston City, while South Hobart is fourth, two points adrift.

The two sides have met twice already this season and have shared the spoils.

The Zebras beat South 5-3 in a thrilling opening match of the season, while South got its revenge in the Lakoseljac Cup quarter-finals, running away with a 5-1 win.

De Vecchi Marins dominated the Lakoseljac Cup match, scoring a hat-trick in the second half, and Markaj fears a repeat performance.

“You cannot stop a talent like him,” Markaj said.

“He’s a great player, he has some great skills, and whatever game plan you may have for him he can just throw it out the window by dribbling or by a shot, or something.

“You can go and double him up, but then he can deliver the ball and somebody else is free.”

Markaj is desperate for a win to stay in touch with Launceston, but pointed out that there is still a long way to go in the campaign.

South Hobart coach Ken Morton believes the Zebras will focus on De Vecchi Marins. “I think he could be heavily marked, and if that’s the case then we have other players who might be able to capitalise,” Morton said.

He said the result of the match could have significant ramifications.

“I think it’s a key game because it’s two big clubs playing each other, and if one loses the other gains a little bit of momentum. In other words, if South win, we will go above them in the league, and that would be psychologically a good break for us; then again if we lost Zebras would pull away a little bit.”

Seventh-placed ough Lions face a Kingborstern test when they take on Launceston City at Lightwood Park tomorrow. The Lions have picked up just one win from their opening seven games, while Launceston is undefeated in the league.

Bottom side Clarence Unit- ed hosts the second-placed Devonport Strikers at Wentworth Park tomorrow.

The Olympia Warriors travel up to take on the Northern Rangers at the NTCA on Sunday in the round’s remaining fixture.