Football
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YOOGALI FC could be back at full-strength tomorrow night when they face Griffith City at Noe Santolin Oval.
Fijian star Malakai Tiwa is certain to return after missing last weekend’s Yoogali derby through suspension, while Sam Kautoga, Uraia Loki and Rocky Marando – who all sat out with hamstring injuries – are all in line to follow suit.
“The week off came at a very good time, giving all those guys an extra week to recover,” Marando said.
Those absentees are the reason why Marando believes YFC has not taken the 3-1 loss to Yoogali SC, which saw the reigning Billabong Cup champions shoot clear on top of the ladder, too much to heart.
With so many sidelined and an early injury to Caleb Musitano furthering the strain, Marando said that performance was not a
true indication of YFC’s ability.
“We pretty much had a second-string side out there so the boys aren’t too discouraged,” he said.
“We still take a lot of positives out of the game and everyone’s keen to get back into the winner’s circle.”
YFC will be warm favourites to do just that against an underachieving City side, coached by former Yoogali stalwart Pat Ciampa.
“He knows plenty about us – most of us used to play with him and he’s been our coach before,” Marando said.
“I’m sure he knows a lot about our game so that could make it hard for us.
“But unless he’s been coming to watch us recently, he might not know much about the Fijians.
“His boys will be fired up so I think it’s going to be a cracker.”