Dave keeps a keen eye on both the Reds and the Whites – and delivers another devastating preview of tomorrow’s scratchy in Saigon. Photo, Mark Stennett Photography.
Chief Sporting Columnist for the Swannies’ website, Dave O’Shea (is there anything this juggernaut can’t do??), submits another blockbuster preview: this time it’s for tomorrow’s Reds Vs Whites clash in Saigon.
- Score: Whites 2 lead Reds 1
- Where: RMIT University Distrcit 7, Saigon
- When: Saturday 4/8/2012 2:00pm
After a long layoff, one of football’s most exciting modern rivalries will be welcomed back to RMIT for a Clash of the Titans-like battle. Due to a hectic Swannies Calendar in the month of July, the two Saigon Giants have not met since June 23 where the Reds were victorious by a single goal.
This could perhaps be the most eagerly anticipated sporting event ever to be played in Saigon. Both teams will welcome back a number of star players. With only a week until the Asian Champs, players from both sides will be looking to be at their best as Vietnam prepares to take on the rest of Asia.
The Four Points
Reds
Just how many of the Reds’ star players will be back in the lineup? Captain Dukesy seems to be a certain starter and should be ready to go after a high altitude training camp in Indonesia.
Well may the Horn hang the head in shame after cyber trash talking the Saigon Prez during the week. Photo, Mark Stennett Photography.
Saigon President Sam Conroy informed the playing group during the week that the Asian Champs will be his last match for the Swannies and this Saturday will be his last match for the Mighty Reds. The Reds will look to send Sam out a winner and Sam will look to give Kev Hornblower something to remember him for. Kevin has already seemingly forgotten Sam’s last name, judging by his e-mail sent out during the week where he replied to the Saigon President as “Sam who?”.
Some of the other star players that could be welcomed back into the Reds lineup after a stint on the sidelines are Nat Payne, Ryan Revo, Nick Moger and Phil Jordan. The Whites will have to be at their best to stop these players from having a huge influence on the game.
Can Qui Le back up his performance against Cambodia where he was awarded the Rick Trewavis Medal for the most courageous player on the ground? The Whites will have to be on top of their game to stop Qui from running riot like he did against Cambodia a fortnight ago.
Whites
After losing the last battle to the Reds by only 1 goal, the Whites have had to wait over a month for revenge. Questions must be asked over the mental state of the Whites after coming so close last game but missing some crucial shots in front of goals at key moments in the fourth quarter.
Like the Reds, the Whites will hope to welcome back some key players into their lineup. Their captain Heater seems to be a certain starter and has been training hard in Saigon after a short stint back in Australia. The Reds will need to stop his dashing runs from the half back line. Heater looks and plays like Rhyce Shaw, who plays for a different Swans team, but has the same first name as his brother, Heath Shaw.
The Reds will also hope to welcome back Kevin the Hornblower who has been back in Australia. As mentioned earlier in the preview, Kevin has been cyber trash talking during the week to Saigon President Sam Conroy. Will he be made to eat his words by a Sam Conroy Shirtfront?
Unfortunately, one player that will be out for the Reds is Irish John. John showed great bravery and guts by playing on a fortnight ago with a broken hand, however, will be unavailable this week as his hand is now in a strange looking cast that was put on by a local Vietnamese Doctor. Only the best medical treatment for Irish John.
