Coffs City United Lions may have found the back of the net a lazy seven times last week, but cross-town rivals Coffs Coast Tigers aren’t daunted by the prospect of trying to contain them at Polwarth Drive on Saturday.
Indeed, Tigers coach Fel Barrera is looking forward to the challenge of trying to thwart the Lions’ freewheeling attack.
“You want to be challenged,” he said.
“You don’t want to play a weak team, or that hasn’t got their full squad available. If you’re going to beat a team you want to do it when they’re at their strongest.”
The Tigers found out first-hand how lethal the Lions attack is when they were on the end of a 4-0 drubbing on August 8.
But they will welcome back Marko Kisose this week after the holding midfielder missed the last match between the two sides.
He will have an important role to play in the middle of the park with the Lions possessing arguably the most talented midfield in the competition.
“They’re seasoned and experienced players, and the challenge for us is to try and nullify them,” Barrera said.
“That holding midfield role is pivotal in certain situations so it will be good having Marko back for this rematch.
“This year he’s come on in leaps and bounds, and he wasn’t playing in the first game when they beat us.”
While wins over the Lions have been few and far between over the years, the coach felt an upset win on Saturday could provide the perfect launchpad for the rest of the season.
“If we could get a result, it would be fantastic for us and give us enough motivation to maybe start putting some wins together,” he said.
“I think the boys will be up for the challenge; they’re excited, they just want to be out there playing football.”
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