Super League Finals Series Round 2 Preview

In the first match of the weekend on Saturday evening, last week?s elimination final winners Sydney University take on Spirit FC at the neutral venue of Hajduk Stadium in St Johns Park (kick off 6pm), normally the home of Sydney Wanderers in Division One.
University had a close win over St George last Saturday and are on something of a roll at the moment. They have won five of their last six matches defeating fellow finals contestants Rockdale and PCYC Parramatta, as well as St George, in the process. In fact, Uni have lost only two games in their past twelve, though one of those was against Spirit FC.
This loss, back in Round 17 at Christie Park, saw a lone Ross Kethel goal secure the points for Spirit and it would not surprise to see the 1-0 scoreline duplicated this time, though who may be the victors is very much open to question.
Despite two very good strikers on show in Christian Soares (Uni) and Tim Simpson (Spirit), both sides? defences are also top notch.
Spirit conceded just 23 goals in the 22 game regular season while Sydney University conceded only two more, having 25 in their goals against column. 
It is no coincidence that both backlines are tall and solid though Spirit will have to cope this weekend without the services of Apostolos Nicolaou, who was sent off in last Sunday?s encounter against PCYC Parramatta.
The two keepers in Uni?s Jonathan Faerber and Spirit?s Murray Nelson have also excelled this season so this Saturday?s clash between two very well balanced sides is sure to be a close and tight affair.
Sunday?s major semi final fixture sees Premiers Rockdale enter the fray when they meet PCYC Parramatta at Ilinden Sports Centre (kick off 2.30pm) for the right to go straight to the Grand Final.
No doubt Rockdale appreciated the week off after claiming the first-past-the-post title and they would have enjoyed seeing their opponents work extremely hard last week, battling through extra time.
But like Saturday?s matchup, this may be another game where the respective defences hold the key. PCYC Parramatta, with only 20 goals against, had the best defence in the competition though Rockdale, having conceded only 22, were not far behind.
Rockdale will look to Sam Awad to get amongst the goals while Parramatta would do well to also keep an eye on Goce Trposki who scored some all important goals for the Suns as the season drew to a close.
PCYC Parramatta have had no trouble in creating chances lately but scoring them has perhaps been a little more problematic. Maybe this weekend will see the tide turn in their favour.
-By Peter Rowney