Mission made harder

July 4 2008

Shepparton News

Shepparton United will need to shuffle its defence on Sunday as it attempts to stay in the top-two race in North Eastern Soccer League.

Central defender Ari Shahollari will be on holiday, while wing-back Jean-luc Giuca is suspended for United's trip to Scott Oval.

A top-two finish and place in the qualifying final is still within United's reach if it wins this weekend, Victory coming into the round top on 31 points, Shepparton second on 30 and United third on 25.

Jimmy Avram will hold down a position in the backline in the absence of Shahollari and Giuca as United looks to avenge Victory's 5-0 win at Central Park in the first meeting between the teams this season.

``Victory have a lot of quick players and we have plans to try and stop their run,'' United coach George Traianidis said.

``Last time against Victory we had our chances, they managed to defend an open goal from a corner and we had one shot which was somehow put over the bar from practically on the line.''

Victory's Joey Crea used his speed to exploit United out wide last time the teams met, while Frank Bazzano will look to dictate the pace of the game from midfield.

``Alex Wilson might be someone we look at manning up on Frank (Bazzano),'' Traianidis said.

Victory will be without defender Seb Fichera, after he was issued a straight red last weekend in Victory's win against Tatura.

In the other round 13 match, Shepparton will welcome back 12-goal striker Stuart Vance for its match against Cobram at Mercury Dve.

Vance missed Shepparton's win against Shepparton South last week after being sent off against United in round 11.

Cobram will be without its attacking midfielder Dhiya Al-Mugotir, who will serve his automatic one-match ban for being shown a straight red card against Tatura two weeks ago.

Al-Mugotir faced the North Eastern league tribunal last night at a hearing to determine if any further penalty would be added to his ban.