Rovers unfazed by Phoenix

Phoenix head in as warm favourites against Rovers in the Great Southern Soccer Association Federation Cup final on Saturday at the North Road soccer grounds.

Phoenix go into the contest having lost only once throughout the season while Rovers have won only one regular competition match.

Rovers have defeated Royals and PR United in the Federation Cup to book their place in the final with Phoenix having knocked off Polonia and Caledonians.

In the teams two encounters in the regular season Phoenix has had victories of 15-0 and 19-0 and would be confident of a win on Saturday

Despite the lopsided results Rovers manager Harry Smith said his side had begun to gel in the past month.

“We’re in the final not necessarily because of football skill but because of how much everyone is pulling together and learning to adapt and play together as a team,” he said

“We’re aware of how good they are attacking, they’re a very complete team all round and they don’t really have a weakness.

“We’re going out to win it, we’re aware of the league results but we’re still going out to win.”

Phoenix captain Yohan Dekker insisted his side needed to stick to their strengths.

“We just follow our own strengths — speed up front and a lot of pressure all around the field,” he said.

In the women’s cup competition, Caledonians will face off against defending cup titleholders Denmark after the men’s game.

Caledonians defeated Polonia in the semifinals to progress through to the decider while Denmark won against Phoenix in their semifinal.

Denmark have lost only once in the regular competition this year and will go in favourites and have won all their clashes with Caledonians.

In the women’s second division cup competition Denmark White face Denmark Black in the final while the men’s veteran cup will be decided between Old Boys and The Vets.