Round 1 Finals Series Preview – League One Men’s

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After a three year wait to complete a full home and away season, we have finally arrived at finals time in the League One Men’s competition.

And there is always something special post season in the 2nd tier so we can look forward with anticipation towards the next few weeks.

This weekend we have a local derby elimination final at the Arctic Circle and St George City welcome Western Sydney Wanderers, none of those sides have beaten the other twice in the regular season so good luck predicting the action. Let’s go!

Elimination Semi Final: NWS Spirit FC v Northern Tigers FC

Waratah Cup winners NWS Spirit host Northern Tigers in our week one elimination semifinal, Saturday night.

After a memorable cup victory last weekend, NWS Spirit head into this one in good spirits (I’m sorry I had too). With an unbeaten streak in NSW competitions which stretches all the way back to round seven against this week’s opposition, they will be ready to give the finals a good crack starting this weekend.

It’s a stark contrast to their opposition this weekend. Northern Tigers have had a second half of the season to forget notching up just three wins in the second half of the season. Consistency has been a struggle ever since that night back in round seven where they took a narrow victory over the Spirit, still with a lot of quality in the team, you would be foolish to write them off.

So how will this game be decided?

For Spirit, their confidence is built from the back. If you only concede just 24 goals in their 27 games in NSW competition, it’s bound to give the team confidence all across the park. Last weekend against Sydney United, it was hard to really fault anyone in David Perkovic’s side (trust me I did the player ratings) so it would feel wrong to single anyone out. Although Michael Konestabo deserves a mention for his man of the match performance.

Northern Tigers on the other hand have struggled in the goalscoring department in recent times.  Averaging just over a goal a game since the turn of the season, it’s a far cry from earlier in the season when they were scoring goals for fun. If they are to prevail in this one though, keep an eye out for the likes of Jamie Lobb, Ally Brown and Shervin Adeli to lead the team around the park.

It’s a fixture that in recent times has favored the away side with both teams winning one game a piece in their previous 2022 meetings. With plenty of feeling in this one, be sure to get out to the Arctic circle or join Eric Subijano for the call, Saturday evening.

Preliminary Semi Final: St George City v Western Sydney Wanderers

St George City host Western Sydney Wanderers in our preliminary semifinal with a place in the grand final qualifier up for grabs.

Consistent at the top across the last couple of seasons, St George City would love to claim some League One silverware before they take on their next challenge as a club. Continuing where they left off last season, City have picked up 13 victories and were only denied the premiership on goal difference in 2022.

However, they face a club who were just as formidable in 2022. Western Sydney Wanderers have earned a reputation as the leagues best attack with a stunning 68 goals in the regular season (works out to be just over three goals per game). With the most wins across the season, they lost just the one game in the second half of the season and looked primed for a finals assault

So, who do we look out for in this one?

St George City possess a lot of quality in their side whilst having an ex-Wanderer flavor. Led by Tarik Ercan in defensive midfield, you’d struggle to find a weakness in Mirko Jurilj’s side with impressive performers across the park. Kalogerou has been a crucial addition at the back, Paolo Mitry provides a creative spark while the front three of Nathan Roberts, Jordan Morfitis and Reuben Awaritefe could well decide the game.

For Western Sydney Wanderers, it’s probably best to start at the front and work back. Zac Sapsford leads their attack after his midseason cross-city switch. Complemented by Connor Rose and Alex Badolato in attack. However, they are dangerous right across the park with the likes of Dean Pelekanos and Jarrod Carluccio providing leadership to the A-League academy side.

Sharing a win each in their regular season meetings, this promises to be a great spectacle on Saturday afternoon. Join Tony Salerno for the call on NPL.TV.

Elimination Semi Final

Saturday 13 August, 7:30pm, Christie Park (Arctic Circle)

NWS Spirit FC v Northern Tigers FC

20’s: Hills United FC v NWS Spirit FC 5pm.

Preliminary Semi Final

Saturday 13 August, 2pm, Penshurst Park

St George City v Western Sydney Wanderers

20’s: Northern Tigers FC v Western Sydney Wanderers, 10am at Valentine Sports Park