Women’s Premier League Finals Series Week 2 Preview
The NWS Koalas scored a last gasp win in extra time against an unlucky Manly United FC side in the Elimination Semi Final before the Illawarra Stingrays rose to the occasion with what many saw as a surprise win over Sydney University in the Qualifying Semi Final.
With these results five became four as Manly United FC bowed out of the competition.
Either Sydney University or NWS Koalas will join them on the sidelines after this weekend whilst the winner of the Macarthur Rams v Illawarra Stingrays match will move through to the Grand Final. Lots to play for, plenty of pressure; who will be the teams who come to the fore?
Semi Final 1 on Saturday at Wilson Park sees Sydney University up against NWS Koalas.
The University side were only denied the title of Premiers on goal difference yet now they sit ninety minutes away from possible elimination. With ten minutes to go last Sunday they had drawn level with Illawarra Stingrays and were still in with a chance for victory. However, the champions raised the bar, scoring three goals in the remaining minutes to walk away convincing victors.
Sydney University have had a fine season. They?ve looked possible trophy winners with some classy wins highlighted by a pacy attack, composed defence and busy midfield. But finals time is a season within a season. It?s a different style of football; can Sydney University adapt to that style? If success was measured purely by the talent available then Sydney University would fear nothing. Now though they need to hold their nerve as they attempt to sidestep oblivion and move to the penultimate week of the finals. Will the two Special K?s, Kingsley and Kennedy, spark a famous victory? Sydney University?s fans will be banking on it.
The NWS Koalas got themselves involved in quite an arm wrestle last Saturday before seeing off Manly United FC. Rachel Perrins goal four seconds from the end of extra time kept the title dream alive for The Koalas. The positives to come from the game were the determination shown by The Koalas girls and their never say die attitude. They are the blue collar side of the finals; there?s nothing particularly fancy about their approach but they play a solid style of team football where everyone contributes. Coach Gerry Gomez has his girls well drilled and they don?t take a backward step.
The Koalas most lethal moments last weekend centred around the two Emmas; Stanbury and Stewart. Stanbury is well travelled in recent seasons but she seems to have found her niche at Koalas. Stewart is a very capable goal scorer who, on her day, can win matches single handedly. The two Rachels also served their side well last Saturday with Rachel Perrins providing a number of highlights apart from her goal whilst Rachel Jones orchestrated the middle of the park in an authoritave fashion.
The Koalas always seem to be underestimated. They showed last season that finals football doesn?t faze them at all; an attitude that will stand them in good stead come Saturday afternoon. Sydney University have plenty of match winners, plenty of structure, plenty to play for. There?s unfinished business after last week?s disappointing loss.
There can only be one winner but even in a field of two that winner seems well hidden. This will be a match decided on a moment. Cometh the moment, cometh the woman; but which woman will make the game breaker? This will be a match to savour.
If you look upon Semi Final 1 as the footballing entree to the weekend then the Macarthur Rams v Illawarra Stingrays match up at Lynwood Park in Semi Final 2 should be a mouth watering main course.
The Rams come into the match after a week?s rest, courtesy of being crowned Premiers. Their form coming into the finals has been adequate but has lacked the dazzle we?d got used to seeing from them earlier in the season. Adding to this is the loss of striker Leena Khamis who underwent surgery this week after being injured in the final competition game against NWS Koalas. Rumours abound of a return this weekend by midfield maestro Kylie Ledbrook but The Rams are staying very tight lipped about the possibility. Macarthur don?t have a shortage of firepower regardless but Coach matt Turvey would obviously be happier with a settled line up.
The Rams barely snuck past NWS Koalas in the final round to confirm their Premiers title. Lauren Ralston?s goal midway through the second half saved a few blushes and The Rams will need to lift a cog or two if they hope to be the first side into the Grand Final after Sunday. Rollason and Haim will take some stopping up front whilst Macarthur will look to their enforcer, Danielle Brogan, to organise the defence. Wherever you look, injuries or otherwise, Macarthur have the big guns that other teams fear.
The Stingrays seem to have flown under the radar somewhat in 2012. In past seasons they have been the team everyone saw as the benchmark, the side that usually began the season as title favourites. Things have been different this season with some uncharacteristic performances which have shown a level of vulnerability. The question had been asked if Illawarra had got tired of winning but does any side tire of success? Maybe The Stingrays were waiting for a suitable motivation; surely finals football offers the spark they need. Certainly last weekend Illawarra displayed their championship qualities with a stunning win over Sydney University in the Qualifying Semi Final.
It was like old times with the trusty boot of Michelle Carney finding the back of the net twice, ably supported by young midfielder Ann Mayo who chimed in with a brace of her own. The Bonilla/Carney partnership provides numerous scoring opportunities and Macarthur will need to concentrate for the entire ninety minutes to keep the two Stingrays at bay. The Cooper sisters will also be vital cogs in the Illawarra wheel if the visitors hope to come up with another upset victory. The Stingrays three peat in 2011 was a great achievement but one thinks that a win against the odds in 2012 will be even sweeter for the pride of the South Coast.
Macarthur Rams are entitled to be favourites but never doubt the defending champions. Illawarra shouldn?t have to prove themselves to anyone but the challenge is there for them on Sunday. This should be one hell of a football game.
Two great days of football, headlined each day by the first grade matches but supported by the Junior and Reserve Grade Semi Finals. Those matches will feature the following teams;
SATURDAY 1st SEPTEMBER
SEMI FINALS 1
Under 12 Girls
Sydney University v Northbridge FC
Under 14 Girls
Blacktown Spartans FC v Marconi Stallions
Under 16 Girls
Central Coast Mariners Academy v Sutherland Shire
Reserve Grade
NWS Koalas v Manly United FC
SUNDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER
SEMI FINALS 2
Under 12 Girls
Marconi Stallions v NWS Koalas
Under 14 Girls
Sutherland Shire v Illawarra Stingrays
Under 16 Girls
Illawarra Stingrays v Manly United FC
Reserve Grade
Marconi Stallions v Sydney University
See you at a ground this weekend.
-By Ross Anderson
