(Football news) Wolves and Stellenbosch both won their respective groups and are undefeated overall. The James Collins led Premier League team has won all three of its games so far without giving up a goal this year. They started off the season with an impressive 4-0 win over Everton FC, another English club. Wolves have now backed it up with 2-0 victories over Sudeva Delhi FC and the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC), respectively.
Early in the first half, Wolves frequently tried to establish themselves. They have been quite effective from set pieces, and forward Nathan Fraser has distinguished himself with his upfront precision finishing. The squad consistently maintains its defensive structure, which has given them the ability to fend off attacks from the opposition when they are not in possession of the ball.
Stellenbosch, coached by Evangelos Vellios, has a similar approach to the game. They boast a very fit and athletic team that are deadly on set pieces. However, the team is dynamic up front, with forwards and attackers who can show creativity on their feet. They have shown some ways to crack opposing defenses, and that will be crucial if they want to find a way to break through the Wolves’ defensive line tomorrow.
Stellenbosch took three points from each of the two Indian opponents he met in the group stage. First, they beat Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) 1-0, then beat ATK Mohun Bagan 2-0. The South African side have demonstrated their goal-scoring quality and resilience in a spectacular way against West Ham United FC. They managed to draw 3-3 with the Hammers in a spectacular performance of sparkling football action. At Wolves, they probably found the right team with a similar game profile to theirs.
“It will be our toughest game. They came to the United Kingdom last year and didn’t lose a game in that tournament. They have not lost a game in this tournament. I have just said to the boys, ‘Don’t be kidded by how comfortable we have been so far.’ We have won the games relatively comfortably; not because the games have been easy, but because we have done our jobs properly,” Wolverhampton Wanderers coach Collins previewed the final.
He added, “This will be a step up. If we do end up winning tomorrow, we will have to work very hard. We will have to match them physically. They are an athletic and powerful team and are very skillful. They are good on the eye, have good combinations, but hopefully we are up for the task.”
“We just want the boys to enjoy it. It is not every day that we get a chance to play the final. The game is not going to define the future of these players or who we are as a team. The fact that we have won it last season and re-emerged in the final this year is already a fact that we can be very proud of. We don’t have the pressure of having to prove ourselves. We can do it for our people, for ourselves and really enjoy the occasion,” Stellenbosch coach Vellios encouraged his boys ahead of the final.
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