Adelaide Croatia Raiders will be gunning for their first major trophy since 2003, as it
faces MetroStars in the Cup Final. The Cup Final will be played this Saturday, 5pm
at Service FM Stadium
Silverware has been hard to come by in recent years, aside from State League 1
Titles in 2018 & 2023, the last major trophy was the 2003 Federation Cup Final,
ironically against the same opponents, MetroStars. On that day, Croatia won 5-2,
courtesy of a Jason Trimboli hatrick at Hindmarsh Stadium.
The game has been built up as a David v Goliath matchup by outsiders. MetroStars
are flying at the top of the table with an 8pt buffer on Croydon Kings. Croatia are
languishing in 2 nd to bottom, 1pt off safety.
To qualify for the Australia Cup and make the Federation Cup Final, Croatia had to
defeat arch rivals FK Beograd, who only a fortnight prior had thumped Croatia 3-0 at
the Croatian Sports Centre.
On the eve of the cup final, Adelaide Croatia made the decision to sack head coach Vlado Blazeka and replace him with Phil Scardigno. To the players’ credit, they came to the game focused, blocking all the external noise.
Croatia defended stoically in the first half to ensure the game against Beograd was
an arm wrestle.
With neither team creating clear cut chances, the game looked destined for extra time. Croatia flipped the script. Oliver Zafiridis’s cross in the 89th minute caught the hand of Massimo Falco, the referee then awarding Croatia a penalty.
Donatien Niyonkuru converted the penalty for Croatia, signing off with his signature backflip. The players were determined to make Vlado Blazeka proud, repaying all the belief he had shown in them.
The victory over FK Beograd has reignited Croatia’s season. Croatia’s league form
has improved with victories over Birkalla & Modbury to put Croatia only 1 point off
relegation, having been as far back as 7pts off in round 14.
Croatia’s season appears to be back on track after an unbelievable 2-1 victory over
fellow relegation candidates Modbury Jets. Croatia appeared to have been destined
for relegation as Modbury were leading 1-0 with just minutes to spare. An 89 th minute
goal by new signing Isaac Matikulas and a stoppage time winner by Donatien
Niyonkuru ensured Croatia are in for the long fight.
Noah Blazeka, Adelaide Croatia’s vice-captain has been ever present this season.
Taking his game to new heights.
Coming off two ACL Injuries in 2021 and 2023, Noah has missed 2 and a half years of games. Despite this, Noah has shown tremendous resilience. This season he has established himself as a key member of the Adelaide Croatia team and would be in the top 3 at the B&F come season end. Noah has on multiple occasions been noted in the NPLSA team of the week (alongside the states best players) Adelaide Croatia is very fortunate to have him. He is no nonsense; he wears his heart on his sleeve and understands the club more than most.
Noah has played at Adelaide Croatia his whole life, his family all volunteer their time at the club.
When asked to summarize what he loves about Adelaide Croatia, he articulated –
“Adelaide Croatia is not a business, Adelaide Croatia is and has always been about
the people, the community”.
Noah’s an old soul, transparent and authentic. When he represents Adelaide
Croatia, he not only represents his family “I want to represent all our people, past
and present and in particular those people on the sidelines who unconditionally
support us, those people would do anything to be in my position and I need to do
them proud”
MetroStars sit at the top of the table by 8pts, however in the last fortnight they have
shown they have chinks in their armor. Drawing 1-1 to Adelaide United Youth, and
then last week losing 1-0 at home to Birkalla.
Noah Blazeka knows the game against MetroStars will be far from easy, what
motivates Noah is stamping his own legacy for the club “I’m tired of listening about
how good the club used to be, 20-30 years ago, I want create the same legacy our
great teams of the past did and inspire the next generation”
It’s people like Noah Blazeka, that our Croatian Clubs need, they are the future
leaders of our community who inspire those around them. It’s been a difficult season
for Noah behind the scenes but to his credit he has never let his form drop and he’s
always put the club first.
This Cup Final is more than just an ordinary Cup Final, this is an opportunity for Adelaide Croatia to make a statement, an opportunity to enhance its legacy. Bring your Croatian flags to the game and come out in numbers, the players draw upon the support for inspiration, the players can’t do it alone. Let this final evoke memories of the glory days.
For tickets – https://events.humanitix.com/2025-cup-finals-day
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