Spadano backs Perth SC for cup final success but RedStar wary of Azzurri threat
The season’s first major silverware is up for grabs on Sunday afternoon with a bumper day of State Cup final action at Inglewood Stadium.
The day begins at 9am when Bayswater play Perth Glory in the Men's U18s Cup Final. These sides have already met twice this season and both games ended in draws. It is also a meeting of the league’s two best defensive sides.
At 11am, it’s the Men's Reserves Cup final as Perth SC face Sorrento, who are third and second respectively in the NPL 20s. This season they have one win each from their two games.
Perth SC will also be in action at 1pm when they face the tough task of ending Perth RedStar’s flawless start to 2022 in the Hyundai Women's State Cup final. This is followed by the Men's State Cup final between Armadale and Cockburn City at 3.30pm.
This is the first time Perth SC have played in the Hyundai Women's State Cup final and skipper Zoee Spadano hopes they can create history at Inglewood Stadium, having pushed RedStar close in the league recently.
“I’m extremely proud of the girls’ efforts to get to the final. Each year we get a step closer to bringing home our first trophy and the win would be sweet if we’re able to pull it off for the women’s first bit of silverware,” she said.
“We have players in the squad that have been there from the start of the women’s program at Perth and it’s something we speak about each year. We’ve got a lot to play for on the weekend and we’re up for the challenge.
“We are very determined to be the team that breaks RedStar’s streak. The loss earlier in the season is definitely sitting in the back of our minds and is only going to build on the fire we bring on Sunday.
“The pressure is on RedStar, but I don’t see it as a nothing-to-lose situation because there’s a cup to be won. We’ve beaten teams currently sitting in the top four to get to this point and I’m confident the squad is more than capable of creating an upset on the weekend.”
Standing in their way are runaway leaders RedStar, who have started with 14 wins from 14 in the league, and can potentially win that competition next Wednesday when they face Perth in the league. Firstly, though, they will look to add to March’s Night Series against an Azzurri side coach Carlos Vega Mena is wary of.
“We respect Perth. They have a good squad of young and experienced players and play good football,” he said.
“We know in a final that the position on the table doesn’t matter and both teams who make it are equal, because that’s the reason they are there. Perth was the toughest game we’ve played this season so far and I don’t expect anything less than another hard game again.
“A final is a final. Anything can happen and you have to be prepared for the unexpected, but we believe in our group and we will do everything to try and win on Sunday. Every single week we’ve spoken about the same thing. Our mentality is that the next game is always the most important game of the season for us, and that’s all we’re focused on this Sunday.
“The environment around the group has been fantastic. We had a great training session on Tuesday and the girls were really excited about the chance to play in a final. And they know it’s an important game for RedStar, as it’s the club’s first final.
“I’m really happy and proud of what the girls have achieved so far this season. The whole group, it’s like a family, and I really hope the girls get the rewards they deserve for the past two years.”
Spadano joined RedStar striker Larissa Walsh today to promote Sunday's final and a victory would be the perfect way for the Perth SC skipper to sign off before she heads to Italy next month to play in the 2022/2023 Women’s Futsal Serie A season.
www.futsalfocus.net reports that Spadano has joined Kick Off C5 Milan, having previously been at South Perth Futsal Club.
“I’m thrilled to finally start this opportunity of a lifetime with Kick Off C5 Milan," Spadano told www.futsalfocus.net.
"Playing Serie A is a dream that many of us have, and when this opportunity came, it was a great reward for the work I have done over the years. I had a meeting with Coach Riccardo Russo, and I can’t wait to join the team in mid-August for the pre-season.
"I’m going there to learn as much as I can from an experienced coach like Riccardo Russo and my teammates such as Maite, Gabry Tardelli, Luiza Bortolini and Gaby Vanelli, who have much experience in Serie A.
"I’ll do my best to help the club achieve the goals they have set for the season. I also want to thank South Perth Futsal Club and my team for helping me reach such a big milestone in my Futsal career; their support over the years has been outstanding.”
Fixtures
9am - Men's 18s: Bayswater City Soccer Club v Perth Glory
11am - Men's Reserves: Perth SC v Sorrento Football Club
1pm - Hyundai Women's first team: Perth RedStar FC v Perth SC
3.30pm - Men's first team: Armadale Soccer Club Inc. v Cockburn City Soccer Club
All games will be live streamed for FREE on NPL.TV.