Inaugural NPL Finals Series takes shape

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The field for the first-ever National Premier Leagues (NPL) 2013 Finals Series is almost complete with four of the five competing teams now confirmed.

The honour of competing in the maiden NPL Finals Series match falls to Sydney United 58 (Football NSW) and Canberra FC (Capital Football) who will meet in the Elimination Final at the Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday 29 September.

The winner will advance to the semi-finals where they will take on Olympic FC (Football Queensland) on Saturday 5 October at the Queensland Sports& Athletic Centre.

The following day will see South Hobart FC (Football Federation Tasmania) host a Football Federation South Australia representative at the South Hobart Ground, with the Grand Final to be played on the weekend of 12/13 October.

The premiers of each of the Member Federation’s respective NPL championships will be represented with the exception of Football Federation South Australia whose slot will be filled by the Grand Final winner.

The South Australian NPL winner will be determined on Friday 20 September with Adelaide Blue Eagles to meet the winner of this weekend’s Preliminary Final between MetroStars and Campbelltown City.

Football Federation Victoria, Football West and Northern NSW Football will join the knock-out finals series format from 2014 following the launch their NPL competitions.

The NPL 2013 Finals Series schedule is as follows:

Elimination Final 29 September 2013
Game 1 Sydney United 58 FC vs Canberra FC (3pm kick-off)

Semi Finals 5/6 October 2013
Game 2 (5 October) Olympic FC vs Winner of Game 1 (6pm kick-off)
Game 3 (6 October) South Hobart FC vs Football Federation South Australia (12pm kick-off)

Grand Final 12/13 October 2013
Game 4 Winner of Game 2 vs Winner of Game 3

The host of the final will be determined and awarded to the best performing team in the semi-finals via the following points system :

Win within 90 minutes 3 points
Win during extra time 2 points
Win on penalties 1 point
Goals For (excluding penalty shootouts) 3 points
Goals Against (excluding penalty shootout) -1 point
Yellow Card -1 point
Red Card -3 points