Adelaide Olympic moves clear on top of National Premier Leagues SA soccer table after Comets win

ADELAIDE Olympic coach George Tsonis has a clear message for his National Premier Leagues SA table-toppers – you’ve won nothing yet. The competition-leader’s big win and all the other local soccer action in our weekend wrap.

Adelaide Olympic captain Ricardo Da Silva scored his side’s second goal in the impressive victory over Adelaide Comets. Picture: Adam Butler

ADELAIDE Olympic coach George Tsonis has a clear message for his National Premier Leagues SA table-toppers – you’ve won nothing yet.

The hosts extended their 100 per cent start to the season with an impressive 2-0 win over the previously unbeaten Adelaide Comets at the Parks on Saturday night.

A first-half own goal and a clever Ricardo Da Silva strike 10 minutes from time sealed Olympic’s third victory from as many outings this campaign.

But Tsonis was ensuring his charges kept their feet firmly planted on the ground, despite moving two points clear at the summit.

“We’ve won three games in-a-row, but we’ve won nothing yet and that’s the reality,” Tsonis said.

“For my boys to grind out a win like that against a phenomenal outfit like Comets is something special and we’re very happy with the start to the year.

“But we need to be honest with ourselves, it’s only three games in and the season is very long.”

Olympic goalkeeper Daniel Vaughan needed to be at his best in the opening period to frustrate Comets’ creative talents with three fine saves.

The hosts had a slice of luck in taking a 38th minute lead, when Christos Pounendis’ pass was inadvertently turned into his own goal by Tom Dittmar.

Comets retained the ball for long periods of the contest, but found the outstanding Andrea Dallera and new central defensive partner Matthew Halliday tough to break down.

Olympic sealed the result late through Da Silva, who brilliantly lobbed the ball over Julian Torresan after a long free kick by Vaughan found its way to the edge of the visitor’s area.

“In terms of ball possession they were better than us,” said Tsonis, who also praised the impact of Argentinian import Paul Espina.

“But we isolated them where we wanted to and to keep a clean sheet against a side like that is outstanding.

Off-season recruit Matthew Halliday was a standout at the heart of Adelaide Olympic’s defence against Adelaide Comets. Picture: Adam Butler

“I back my boys to play proactive football, but at the same time they need to know their jobs defensively as well.

“Defence wins you championships and strikers win you games.”

The early-season success continued steady progress for the ambitious Olympic, which secured a finals berth last campaign three years after earning promotion to the top flight.

Tsonis’ men faced another test of their title credentials on Saturday against fellow undefeated side Croydon Kings at Polonia Reserve.

“I watched Croydon in pre-season and I thought they were one of the better teams I’d seen,” said Tsonis, who replaced Mike Barnett as Olympic coach on the eve of last season.

“But we’re looking forward to the challenge.

“This is why you play, to play against good teams.”

Croydon dropped its first points of the campaign in a 1-1 draw with Para Hills at the Paddocks.

Christian Esposito was in target in MetroStars’ commanding win over South Adelaide. Picture: AAP Image/Morgan Sette

Guy Miller handed the Kings a 19th minute advantage, but the Knights’ Hirofumi Kochi squared the ledger on the hour.

Newly-promoted Raiders pulled off the shock of the round, as Terence Carter’s goal secured a 1-0 triumph over reigning champion Campbelltown City at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre.

A spectacular long range Marcos Flores strike and an Anthony Costa effort helped Adelaide City down Adelaide united youth 2-0 to register its first win of the year.

MetroStars moved up to third on the back of a 4-0 trouncing of South Adelaide at O’Sullivan Beach on Friday.

Summer signing Dylan Smith, Rocky Callisto, Christian Esposito and Matthew Charalambous were on target for the Klemzig outfit.

Adelaide Blues Eagles host West Adelaide at Marden Sports Complex on Monday night (8.15pm kick-off) to complete the round.