Troisi remains a Red, UniSA pulls the pin, W-League import moves, and the FFA Cup’s dream starts for SA clubs
James Troisi has his say on a potential Adelaide United exit, an SA club pulls the pin, a Reds import secures her move and local FFA Cup dreams begin. All this and more in our 90 Minutes soccer column.
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James Troisi says he is staying put at Adelaide United, for now at least.
Troisi, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, confirmed there had been interest from other clubs looking to secure his services during the January transfer window.
But the 37-cap Socceroo said he was remaining focused on regaining fitness and boosting United’s push for an A-League finals berth.
“As is, I’m staying put,” Troisi, 31, told The Advertiser.
“I’ve done reasonably well here, as I have throughout my career, so there’s always going to be interest and speculation and talk, especially in the transfer window.
“There’s rumours and sniffs and there’s interest out there.
“But ultimately I’m a contracted player.
“I’m signed for two seasons, so I’ve got another season (after this one at Adelaide).
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“I’m just head down and working hard to get back on the pitch as soon as possible to help the team, because the team needs me.”
Troisi had largely impressed in a deeper midfield role during nine games for Gertjan Verbeek’s sixth-placed side this campaign.
The SA-born talent, who joined the Reds from Melbourne Victory in October, had missed the past two matches after sustaining a hamstring problem earlier this month.
He said he was enjoying his football, but was keeping his options open for the future.
“Things change very quickly in football,” said Troisi, who has also had club stints in England, Turkey, Italy, Belgium, Saudi Arabia and China.
“If something did eventuate, that will obviously be a decision between me and my family, and the club.
“But as is, we’re happy to be back home here and I want to continue to try and help the team out as much as I can.”
CLUB PULLS OUT
The state’s third tier has been hit with the withdrawal of a club just four weeks out from the season start.
Football SA announced on Wednesday that UniSA had pulled out of this year’s State League Two competition due to a lack of players.
The Magill-based outfit entered the federation’s senior ranks in 2017.
It finished last with a combined two victories in its first two campaigns, but improved to a 10th-place finish in the 12-team league last year.
“Football SA has been informed by the UniSA FC committee that they will be unable to field
teams in the State League Two competition for the 2020 season,” an FSA statement read.
“UniSA FC had been working with Football SA to advertise, recruit and retain players for the
coming season.
“However, despite the best efforts of everyone involved in the club, the club has
been unable to attract sufficient players to fill the teams required to participate in the State
League Two.”
The statement said the governing body would review its options for the third division’s structure this season.
FSA said UniSA was still committed to fielding collegiate league and junior teams.
RED ON THE MOV E
Adelaide United W-League import Julia Ashley has had her wish granted.
Ashley, on loan at the Reds over summer, was on Saturday unveiled as a Reign FC player, having been traded to the Seattle-based outfit during the US league’s draft period.
It completed a rollercoaster 12 months for the 23-year-old centre back, who was drafted by Sky Blue last year only to instead sign for Swedish top flight outfit Linkopings.
“It was a really tough decision for me,” Ashley told The Advertiser last week.
“But in the previous two years, Sky Blue had a lot of issues off the field.
“I was getting a lot of advice from my parents, my agent and a lot of girls who were actually playing there at the time and it kind of led me towards not playing there.
“To hear all those different opinions about the culture of the club at the time, it was my decision to go abroad to experience something new.
“It probably did surprise some people, but … it was the right decision at the time.”
Ashley, who has played every minute of bottom-placed Adelaide’s campaign, will join Reign once the W-League season finishes next month.
UP FOR THE CUP
It produced a record number of entries and two of the biggest shocks in SA soccer history last year.
Now clubs across the state have the chance to sign up for this season’s FFA Cup.
Football SA this week called for nominations for the regional phase of the national knockout competition, which will kick off on the weekend of March 20-22.
A pair of amateur outfits stole the headlines last campaign, as 54 teams throughout the state – the most since the FFA Cup format was launched in 2014 – took part.
Sunday side Tea Tree Gully dumped out former National Soccer League champion West Adelaide at the first hurdle in March.
Adelaide Olympic eventually claimed the Federation Cup, following a dramatic 3-2 triumph over the Black and Whites in the decider.
This year’s competition will take on extra significance, as both SA finalists will qualify for the national round-of-32 for the first time instead of just the winner.
Teams can enter via the Football SA website. Nominations close on February 28.
MELBOURNE-BOUND
A pair of top flight SA clubs are heading east to ramp up their pre-season preparations.
Adelaide Comets travelled to Melbourne last weekend for a pair of friendlies ahead of the February 21 NPL SA campaign kick-off.
The Mile End-based side grabbed a 2-2 draw with A-League outfit Melbourne City’s youth team, thanks to goals by off-season recruit Ninko Beric and Tete Yengi.
Para Hills will follow a similar path this coming weekend.
The Knights will also take on Bullen on Saturday morning, before meeting reigning Dockerty Cup-winner Hume City that night.
Former Comets mentor Theo Tsiounis will lead the northern suburbs club this year, having replaced Smith at the helm.
SA PLAYERS ABROAD
Brandon Borrello – Freiburg (Bundesliga): Unused sub in the 2-1 victory away to Mainz 05.
Alex Chidiac – Atletico Madrid (women’s Spanish Primera Division): Not in the matchday squad for the 2-2 draw at Sevilla.
Ben Garuccio – Hearts (Scottish Premier League): Made his second appearance since returning from a knee reconstruction as a substitute in the 5-0 Scottish Cup win over Airdrieonians.
Awer Mabil – Midtjylland (Danish Super League): Winter break.
Craig Goodwin – Al-Wehda (Saudi Arabia Pro League): Played 90 minutes and booked in the 2-1 home loss to Al Ahli.
Andrew Marveggio – Macva Sabac (Serbian Super League): Winter break.