Ibises will feel players' absence

 

August 1 2008

Shepparton News

Kyabram looms as a major threat to Tatura in women's North Eastern Soccer League this weekend with a host of absentees set to rock the Ibises.

Tatura came from 2-0 down to beat the winless Go-Annas in round 10 but will be missing some of the key players who turned the game.

The Ibises enter the round in fourth place with 26 points, fifth-placed Cobram Victory on 20 points in fifth place is the only team left with a realistic shot at making the top four.

Women's premier league players Derya Tanrikulu, Sophie Findlay and Lucy Ciancio are all set to miss for Tatura due to a fixture clash, while season top-scorer Merve Bolat and first team regular Tugba Seymen are also in doubt.

Tanrikulu and Bolat scored three of Tatura's six goals last time the teams played, Mikayla Lia also scored a hat-trick.

``It's Mikayla and Rosemary Scrimizzi who we will look to for goals,'' Tatura coach Rocco Bagnato said.

``We're only six points ahead of Cobram Victory and this game is an important one to win.

``But we can't take it for granted after what happened last time.''

Kyabram's recent form includes its first ever draw, a 0-0 against Numurkah two weeks ago, and a 1-0 loss to Shepparton with the only goal from a penalty last week.

``It's very different playing Kyabram now than it was last season,'' Bagnato said.

``I'll tell the girls to show them respect; this game will be a challenge.''

In other matches, Shepparton United can seal the minor premiership if it defeats Numurkah and Shepparton fails to beat Cobram Victory.

Shepparton and Cobram are separated by one point in second and third place, Cobram faces Shepparton South this weekend.

After leaving the field injured last week, Tigers forward Tania Doyle will again be a test to play.

Doyle is Cobram's top scorer with 14 goals, but has battled all season with a foot ligament injury.