Finals Series Round 2 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s

It is the second week of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Finals Series and four teams remain in the race for the Championship trophy.

After a hard-earned week off, APIA Leichhardt Tigers return to action in the Major Semi-Final against Rockdale City Suns while Blacktown City hope to bounce back from their shock loss when they host Manly United.

It is set to be a big night of football with both matches to take place on Saturday at Lambert Park and Lily’s football stadium.

Major Semi-Final

APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Rockdale City Suns, 7.30pm at Lambert Park

Newly crowned PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership winners APIA Leichhardt will be determined to secure their spot in this season’s grand final when they host Rockdale City Suns on Saturday.

After a well earned week off, the boys from Lambert Park’s campaign for a historic Premiership and Championship double is set to begin in earnest.

But against Rockdale City Suns it isn’t going to be an easy clash for Danial Cummins APIA side.

Rockdale come into the match full of confidence after last week notching a shock 4-2 win against last year’s grand final winners Blacktown City.

Paul Reid’s side raced out of the blocks at Lily’s Football Centre and will likely use a similar gameplay this week.

Rockdale will go into the match without attacker Aleks Canak who is suspended, while talismanic player coach Reid might be forced to watch the match from the sideline as he battles a thigh strain.

Powerful striker Jordan Figon found his shooting boots last week to score a double and he is sure to want to continue his goal scoring ways.

APIA will look to Sean Symons, Jordan Murray and Tasuku Sekiya to drive their attack, while Corey Bizco’s pace outside is also set to cause headaches.

Ivan Necevski’s experience in goal will make it that little bit harder for Rockdale to score.

Rockdale will feel they should’ve won their last clash against APIA in the final round of the regular season when both sides shared the points after the Suns conceded a goal midway through the second half.

There is plenty of passion when these teams face-off and with a grand final ticket on the line the stakes are even higher.

Minor Semi-Final

Blacktown City FC v Manly United FC, 7pm Saturday at Lily’s Football Stadium

The disappointment of a shock finals loss to the Rockdale City Suns last week is sure to Mark Crittenden’s Blacktown side when they take on Manly United this Saturday.

The Lily’s Football Stadium based side were left shell-shocked after Rockdale scored two early goals and held out a late Blacktown onslaught to claim the upset.

City will be determined to not allow the same to happen when Manly come to town.

With finals survival on the line Blacktown will need huge performances to ensure they progress to the next round.

Manly come into the match after defeating Sydney Olympic 2-1 in the first week of finals action and are confident they can make it two wins from as many games against Blacktown.

Manly defeated Blacktown 2-1 during the final weeks of the regular season providing them with a slight mental edge.

For Manly midfielder Sasa Macura the match will have extra meaning as he takes on his former side.

With the pain and frustration of letting the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership title slip out of their grasp, Blacktown will be driven to make up for it during the finals series.

Blacktown are the favourites for this match, but Manly have shown they can beat any team on their day.

With the It is sure to be a blockbuster clash.