Damien Bellemore, FFA Zebras show their stripes
Thursday, 15 August 2013 7:17 PM
Not content with claiming the South Australian State Cup at the weekend, Adelaide City are determined to add to their three NSL titles and qualify for the inaugural National Premier Leagues Finals Series.
Despite already surrendering in the race for the minor-premiership to Metrostars, who have an unassailable lead at summit of the South Australia Premier League, the Zebras maintain legitimate hopes of being the first domestic NPL Champions.
This is due to South Australia being the only State that will send their NPL grand final winners - and not the minor-premiers to the showpiece event of the second-tier of football in this country, which will pit together the top team from five different federations.
According to Head Coach and Socceroo legend Damian Mori, his side still has everything to play for this season. Having downing White City 5-4 on penalties, after the sides were locked at 1-1 at full time, to claim the State Cup he said his side must now refocus on the job at hand.
“Obviously it was a nice consolation but the season is not over,” said Mori. “We celebrated the win but now need to move on."
Mori bemoaned the fact that he was only recently made aware of the NPL Finals Series but maintained Adelaide City would be doing everything it could to qualify.
“We want to finish in the top-two and play in the final but there are a few top teams that are all really close.
"Everybody is in the same boat, everybody is a chance.”
On his personal ambition, Mori, who was shortlisted for the vacant Head Coach role at Adelaide United at the end of last season said he harbored hopes of one day managing in the Hyundai A-League.
“I’m about to enter my tenth year of coaching and of course one day I’d like to make the step up.
“I’ve got my A-license and am enjoying it but you’re learning all the time.
“Having made the transition from player to coach you need time to adapt but you try to not make the same mistakes,” said Mori.
The Socceroos all-time leading goal scorer was nonplused that his record is set to be broken, with both Archie Thompson and Tim Cahill just one behind his mark of 29 goals. Much like his football philosophy Mori prefers to look ahead.
“Goodluck to them, I’ve got a lot of other things to worry about,” he said.
With just two games to go until the South Australia NPL finals, Mori will be hoping Adelaide City can cause some headaches of their own as they attempt to qualify for the inaugural NPL play-offs.
http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Zebras-show-their-stripes/72815