2009 Centenary Cup semi-final placings decided
The first group decided was Group C where Southern Districts (13pts) and Central Coast (11) confirmed their placings in the quarters with good wins. Group B was next with Ku-ring-gai (12) and Macarthur (9) grabbing the two automatic spots in the quarters.
Finally Group A, the most intense group finally saw Sutherland (12) and Canterbury(10 +7) grab the coveted two positions.
The remaining teams were then placed in order of points, goal difference and goals scored.
These placings saw Granville (10 +1) and St George (9 +4 ? 13g) snatch the two remaining Cup quarter final positions.
This left, in order, the eight teams for the Plate quarter finals, Illawarra (9 +4 ? 9g), Gladesville-Hornsby (9 +3), Nepean (7), Blacktown (6), Manly-Warringah (5), Bankstown (4), Eastern Suburbs (3) and Western Branch (1).
Southern Branch and the ever improving Northern Tasmania missed the quarters and played a friendly match, giving our visiting Tasmanians a great 1-0 victory.
In magnificent weather and before huge crowds at Balgownie the quarter finals were finally under way and the first casualty was Southern Districts going down in a great tussle 2-3 to Canterbury after leading 2-1 with five to go. The next quarter final saw another tense and exciting affair with an abundance of brilliance being displayed with St George coming from scraping into the semis as a ?next best? team to topple one of the tournament favorites in Sutherland.
Ku-ring-gai, now looking the new favorites for this competition took care of Granville 3-0 and Central Coast pleased their large number of supporters by beating Macarthur 2-0.
This gives us the salivating line up in the semis of St George v Canterbury and Ku-ring-gai v Central Coast at 10.15am on Friday morning to fight for the last two spots in the Finals at 12.45pm.
The Plate quarter finals were also very exciting affairs with Western Branch finding their true form and defeating Illawarra 2-1, Nepean disposing of Bankstown to the tune of 4-1, Gladesville Hornsby defeating Eastern Suburbs 4-1 and Blacktown getting the better of Manly-Warringah 2-0.
The Plate semi finals will see Western Branch take on Nepean and Gladesville-Hornsby meet Blacktown.
Any of these teams could have been considered Cup finalists before the first day of the Centenary Cup and will provide a wonderful entr?e at 9.00am before the Cup semis. The Plate Final will be played at 11.30am.
The presentation of trophies, medals and MVP awards for the Cup and the plate will commence at 2.00pm and will be highlighted by the presence of Football NSW President, Dr Jim Forrest, General Manager Mr Ian Holmes, former Socceroo and everyone?s favorite, Adrian ‘Noddy’ Alston together with Sydney FC players.
With such a magnificent menu of football excellence on show the finals day at the 2009 Centenary Cup will rival any previous Cup final days.
Larry Grant
Competitions Secretary.
