The Riverina Rhinos will finish their three-game home stint when they take another tough assignment when Canberra Olympic make the trip to Solar Mad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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It is the second week in a row where the Rhinos are taking on opposition from the top of the table, and it will be a case for taking the positives from the 3-0 loss to Canberra FC and build on them according to coach Gabriel Abdala.
“We are looking fairly hopeful heading into this weekend,” he said.
“It was a positive performance last weekend against a Canberra FC who are the best team in the competition, and now we will look to make an impression when we take on Canberra Olympic.”
In the meeting between the two side earlier in the season saw Canberra Olympic saw the home side come away with 4-2 win over the Rhinos and coach Abdala knows his side was right in the clash before things went against them.
“A few incidents late in the game really decided the game,” he said.
“When you have one send off things get difficult, but when there is two, it becomes almost impossible.”
The middle field is where Canberra Olympic posse a serious threat and Abdala knows if his side wants to have success this weekend it comes down to control in the middle.
“Frank (Cachia, Canberra Olympic coach) has got three men in there that like to get the overlap working and get the ball moving quickly,” he said.
“We will be looking to nullify the middle of the park and limit the time they have on the ball. We have to look the win the ball quickly and hold onto it for as long as possible.
“We have a pretty strong midfield, and we also have a few utility players like Andrew Vitucci who can push into the holding midfield role and allow the others to push up and roam around a bit more.”
For the third week in succession, the Rhinos coach is handed with a good headache. With no injuries or suspensions, Abdala is again able to name a full-strength team.
“Players are really fighting for positions. It is probably the best problem to have,” he said.
“What you want is the best squad imaginable and not just the one on offer when you head into these games.”
The action will get underway at Solar Mad Stadium with the under 13s taking centre stage at 11am before the first grade kick off at 5pm.