Inglewood United coach Taki Nicolaidis is looking forward to seeing how his players measure up against the National Premier Leagues’ form side, ECU Joondalup. The northern suburbs outfit are unbeaten in eleven games and on Saturday afternoon complete their home and away commitments by visiting Inglewood Stadium.
“It’s definitely a big game for both clubs,” Nicolaidis commented. “Joondalup have been the league’s in-form team over the second half of the season. To go eleven straight without a loss tells me they are playing with a lot of confidence and whilst it’s not a good time to be playing them, it’s also the best time to be playing them.”
The fixture has a lot riding on it for both clubs. A win for Dale McCulloch’s side will earn Joondalup their best placing in twelve years along with a spot in the Top Four Cup, whereas a home victory will bring the league title back to Inglewood for the first time since 1996.
“These are the games you want to be playing in – it could be the game of the season,” said Nicolaidis. “I’m sure that both sides will be pulling out all stops to get a win and, given what is up for grabs, there will be a very big crowd watching two of the league’s best footballing teams battling it out.”
Inglewood are coming off arguably their best performance of the winter, a 2-0 win away at Perth SC. “Last weekend was an exceptionally good performance that showed me the boys are totally focussed on being their best,” said Nicolaidis, who wants to see that same level of intensity from this players this Saturday.
“We’ve got an even bigger game this week. We are on top of the league and the boys know there is no round twenty-three – this is it, there are no more second chances. If we have the same positive attitude and play like we did at Perth this Saturday then I’m pretty confident we will put on a good show.”
National Premier Leagues, Round 22
Inglewood United vs ECU Joondalup
Saturday 27 August @ Inglewood Stadium
Kick-off times
First team 3.00pm
Under-20s 1.00pm
Under-18s 11.00am
