Coach plots testing times
Corio uses Community Cup to prepare for promotion challenge
CORIO coach Ante Didulica says he will be looking to put his team under pressure when it opens its Geelong Community Cup campaign at Myers Reserve tonight.
The State League 2 promotion aspirant and Community Cup favourite will tackle Bell Park in the competition’s opening fixture.
Didulica said he would use the club’s three round-robin games to put his team under various forms of pressure and test the depth in his squad.
“I want them under pressure,” he said.
“We have got three games in 10 days and I want them to be under pressure in the dying stages.
“From last year, we probably won the game in the last 10-15 minutes and I thought that was important. “We did it last year (put the players under pressure late) and it really worked (come the State League 2 season).”
Didulica said the club’s squad was bursting with talent and numbers.
He made a cut before Christmas and has 23 players on his list.
“I’ve got to get it down to 18 or thereabouts,” he said.
“The numbers have been good from last year to this year. We’ve picked up a few triallists.
“Our depth has definitely increased.”
Geelong Rangers sharpshooter Jasko Ikanovic has made the switch to Corio, while wing back Matthew Zilavec has followed as well.
“It was what we were missing last year, a No.9, a false nine,” Didulica said of Ikanovic.
“We only conceded 26 last year and we just didn’t score enough (goals down the other end).
“Hopefully this year with Jasko coming on board we will get that 10-15 goal striker.”
The Community Cup will be played in a reduced format this season with Lara, Golden Plains and Surf Coast all declining to compete
NPL side North Geelong also has not entered.
“It’s disappointing Golden Plains, Surf Coast and Lara all don’t want to put their name in the hat,” Didulica said.
“It’s a good competition. For their preparation it would be wonderful, but they see differently.”