Eyes on the prize as Northern Tigers set their sights on the Sapphire Cup

Northern Tigers FC will take on Sydney University SFC in a highly exciting Sapphire Cup final at Valentine Sports Park this Wednesday night.

The Tigers have enjoyed a strong campaign in the NPL Women’s NSW competition, sitting in fifth place and still in contention for finals, although with a top-four spot currently out of their hands.

Reflecting on their campaign ahead of the Sapphire Cup final, Northern Tigers FC coach Chris Wood said, “It’s been a good season.”

“I always look back on how we were four games into the season where we’d only picked up a point, so we’re in a good position.

“We’re still somewhat challenging for finals and obviously now we have a Cup final, so I would say, considering the turnover of players we’ve had from last year to this year, it’s been a successful season.”

The Tigers secured their place in the final with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over NWS Spirit, which came after a 4-0 victory over Gladesville Ravens.

Earlier in their qualification campaign, they beat Terrigal United and Banksia Tigers FC, with the four matches allowing them to feature at Valentine Sports Park on Wednesday night.

“We played two community teams to start with which early on in the season was good as we were able to rotate players and give players minutes and opportunities,” said Wood on their run to the Sapphire Cup final.

“From the quarter-final onwards, we had two strong NPL teams in the Ravens and Spirit.

“And against Spirit, being down at halftime and getting a comeback was great.

“So it’s been a good run, and now we obviously have a final which we’re looking forward to.”

Northern Tigers will be taking on a Sydney University side who have had a mixed season in the NPL Women’s NSW competition, currently sitting in 10th place, although coming into this match on a four-game unbeaten streak.

Nevertheless, the Tigers still have the theoretical upper-hand, being five places ahead on the ladder, but in the words of Wood, “form goes out the window” for this Sapphire Cup final.

“If anything, in my opinion it’s an advantage for them, because they know the main focus for them is on this final, and haven’t had to worry about the last few weeks in challenging to get to the finals spots, so I guess they can have that little bit of freedom in how they’re playing,” he said on the position difference on the ladder.

“Sydney Uni is a team and club that’s been highly successful in the last decade and quite a dominant force, and the club expects them to be in this finals.

“I think it will be a really tough game, a really hard battle – we had that when we played them in the league (3-3), so although we’re ahead of them on the ladder I think it’s very much even heading into the game.”

But Wood is confident ahead of the final and believes his squad’s ability to threaten from everywhere on the field will be hard to stop on Wednesday night.

“I think for me it’s just if all of them play to their capabilities they can really perform,” he responded when asked about who could decide the Sapphire Cup final.

“We’ve had some great standouts this year – our captain Lily (McMahon) has been phenomenal – such a young player and one of the highest-scoring players in the league.

“Our striker Nicola (Dominikovich) – it’s her first year in NPL and she’s been scoring a lot of goals.

“But honestly all over the park, each player is capable of winning games, so I think that’s a good thing about us in that you don’t know where the threat is going to come from.”

Finally, Wood spoke on what winning the Sapphire Cup final would mean to himself, the club and the players, with Northern Tigers set to give it their all to lift the Cup on Wednesday night.

“I think everyone’s in this game to be in big moments like this and to win trophies,” he said.

“It would be great for the club to win a trophy – I wouldn’t even know the last time we won one in first grade, but I guess the other part of it is players getting to experience it too.

“I hope we get a big crowd out supporting two very good teams with lots of very good players.

“Having a good crowd there with a lot of eyes on them, a lot of opportunities for players to perform, to potentially pick up A-League contracts.

“For me, it’s just something this group deserves more than anything.”

2024 Sapphire Cup Final
Northern Tigers v Sydney University SFC
7:15pm, Wednesday 21st August
Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood

Entry is free for spectators.

Can’t make it? We have you covered as the match will be streamed live on Football NSW’s YouTube Channel with Nikola Pozder and Will Konstantinidis calling the match.