Finals Series Round 1 Preview – Women’s State League
The Women’s State League enters Semi-Final football this weekend as UNSW host St George FC at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday afternoon in a sudden death contest while Premiers APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC welcome SD Raiders FC with both teams playing for a spot in the Grand Final and a week off.
UNSW vs St George FC, Saturday 2nd September 3.45pm, Valentine Sports Park no.3
The first semi-final kicks off on Saturday afternoon as UNSW face St George in an elimination semi-final where the loser will bid farewell to their 2017 season.
UNSW come into the contest off the back of some recent good form including a final round regular season win over Western NSW Mariners FC which knocked the Mariners out of finals contention.
St George FC are coming off a heavy defeat in their last start against APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC but coach Carlo Tini will have his team fully focused on this weekend’s crucial game if they are to continue their Grand Final push.
Tini will be hoping his young team can draw that fighting spirit they have shown throughout the year for this weekend’s elimination semi-final. The results between these two have been tight throughout the year with each team enjoying a win apiece as well as a draw.
This game promises to be a tight encounter as both teams will be desperate to not have their season end this weekend.
UNSW coach Renato Jelen will be aware of the threat that St George pose as their latest encounter showcased when St George ran out 1-0 victors. Jelen though will be confident his team will have enough firepower to defeat St George but know they will be in for a tough battle.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC vs SD Raiders FC, Sunday 3rd September 6.45pm, Lambert Park
The battle of the top team’s takes place on Sunday evening as the second semi-final see’s APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC playing SD Raiders FC.
APIA come into the contest after dominating the regular season where they only lost one game and won the premiership by a massive thirteen points.
APIA will be full of confidence but will know that the Raiders will pose a tough test as both teams seek to book a grand final birth.
The Raiders will also be confident heading into this contest as they finished the year off strongly to grab second place and will be looking to defend their Grand Final victory from last year.
The results this year between both teams have been tight with the Raiders holding APIA to a draw.
The game certainly has the potential to be an open and free flowing contest as both teams possess attacking dangers.
This though may be curbed as both sides look to restrict the chances of the opposing attacks and with so much to play for we may see a contest that is tight and tactical.
-By Sebastian Kalos
