Coach Jacob TImpano is keen to back young attacker Jordan Nikolovski in Saturday’s showdown with Hakoah-Sydney City East, even as former Japanese international Yuzo Tashiro returns to the squad.
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Nikolovski scored in the last-gasp 2-1 win over Sutherland last weekend to keep their finals hopes alive.
But they continue to walk the finals tightrope in eighth position, behind Hakoah on goal difference.
A relfection of how tight the NSW National Premier League ladder is, five clubs have all recorded five wins each, with seven teams separated by just three points mid-table.
“He’s a different kind of threat,” Timpano said of Nikolovski.
“And his combination with (Peter) Simonoski was good.
“Yuzo has been out for a couple of weeks, so it’s good to have him back, but I want to stick with the guys who played well last week.”
Former A-League player Montgomery scored in injury time against the Sharks and Timpano believes it can spark a late-season run of wins.
“It was a big moment,” he said.
“Hopefully it can carry a bit of momentum for us, though it would be good not to leave it so late.”
Simonoski was on the scoresheet in the 2-1 win over Hakoah in Sydney in April.
Hakoah secured a 2-2 draw against leaders Sydney Olympic last weekend.
NSW NPL
Round 16
Saturday (7pm)
WOLLONGONG WOLVES v HAKOAH-SYDNEY CITY EAST
WIN Stadium
Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
