MetroStars starting XI: Oestreich (GK), Barr, Fortunatow, McNamara, Walls, Barbiero, Gow, Nagel, Sotira, Visser, Cittadini

Bench: D’Angelo, Miller, Cavuoto, Muhitira, Lippiello, Divin

Goals: Walls 52’, Sotira 73’

Bayswater City starting XI: Italiano (GK), Southgate, Stephens, Palmateer, Mitchinson, Corness, Hughes, Edwards, Davies, Loughrey, La Galia

Needing a win to keep their dreams of a quarterfinal berth alive, the South Australian side also managed to get themselves level on goal difference with Bayswater—which may prove crucial next week.

After a goalless first half, MetroStars took the lead in the 52nd minute through Walls, whose first touch in the box to control an exquisite switch from Noah McNamara was world class, allowing him to glide past his defender and get a shot away. His effort took a slight deflection that wrongfooted Bayswater City goalkeeper Lewis Italiano and snuck into the near post.

In the 73rd minute, Sotira sealed the victory with a stunning volley from just outside the box after bringing the ball down with his chest, sending the ball over Italiano and in off the crossbar.

Walls, MetroStars’ vice-captain, didn’t deny checking out the replay of his goal.

“I’ve watched it a few times,” he laughed. “It was a good first touch and the ball was even better. I didn’t have to break stride—[McNamara] made it easy for me...”

Considering there was a lot riding on the result, Walls believes his side handled the pressure well.

“[There was] obviously a lot of pressure, but I think we just focus on ourselves and the processes and how we want to play—and I think we did that well yesterday,” he said.

“We could have finished the game off [sooner], but in the end, we’ve got two goals—two spectacular goals—and we got the result,” he added, before talking up Sotira.

“We see him do that in training all the time,” he revealed, “And for him to do it on the big stage in the Australian Championship—he deserves it. He’s had a great tournament and it was a fantastic goal.”

While a draw between APIA Leichhardt and Bayswater City would result in the end of MetroStars’ campaign, Walls isn’t concerned that both sides will shut up shop and play for the point.

“I don’t think any team is playing for the draw in this tournament,” he said. “If you look at the results and look at the last 10 minutes of games in the tournament, I think they’re the most exciting 10 minutes of the game usually—teams are going for it, everyone wants the three points.

“I think APIA want to have momentum and Bayswater want momentum [going] into the next round, so I think they both need to go for it.

“I think it’s just up to us—[we need] focus on us next week and if we get the three points, then it’s up to the football gods.”

Sydney United, MetroStars’ next opponent, come to Adelaide on Sunday with nothing but pride to play for. But far from conveying overconfidence, Walls warned that these types of matches can be tricky.

“It’s obviously dangerous playing against a team that’s got pride to play for and nothing to play for in terms of the group,” he said.

“But … a massive club in Sydney United—I think they’d want to come to Adelaide and get the three points.

“It’s very important for them and their fans, and I think they’re going to have a big crowd with a lot of Croatian support … it’s going to be a tough game next week.”

With crowd numbers from yesterday’s match yet to be released, Walls was impressed with the atmosphere.

“I think it’s important for South Australian football and it was good to see a nice strong crowd yesterday,” he said.

“I think yesterday was a lot louder [than in Round 1], and they really got behind us—obviously with a few fantastic goals … to get the crowd up and about.

“Hopefully they come out in strong numbers next week—and even louder.”

After the final whistle yesterday, players from both clubs—each with Italian heritage—sat together for a plate of pasta, something Walls says makes this competition special.

“I think that’s been spoken about a lot throughout the tournament, and I think that’s what the Australian Championships all about—the culture and the heritage of these clubs,” he explained.

“Obviously we’re a young club, but there’s a lot of history within our club and every club. Some of the fans that come out and support us on the weekend are co-founders and former presidents, so that’s why I love playing for Metro and that’s why I love playing in this tournament.”

Walls says that while making it out of the group stage would be huge for the club, they wouldn’t be going into it to simply make up the numbers.

“I think that’s why I play for Metro,” he shared, “I think they need to be back on the national stage and being in the Australian Championship is what it’s all about.

“If we win next week, hopefully we get through … it would mean a lot to the club. That’s what they wanted out of the tournament, [that] we go as deep as possible.

“If we do make it through to the finals, I think we can really shake it up with the big boys.”