With only four teams remaining in the NPL Victoria Womens, who will book their place in next weekend's NPLW Grand Final?
FC Bulleen Lions v Calder United SC Semi-Final Preview
SUMMARY
FC Bulleen Lions and Calder United will face off tomorrow afternoon in the first NPLW Semi-Final at the Veneto Club.
The Lions come into this clash winning three of these final five matches and in their final match of the season, they defeated Southern United 3-0 with Alana Jancevski, Maja Markovski and Rosie Rodger finding the back of the net.
Calder United are coming into this final full of confidence, claiming four victories from their past five matches. In the season's final round, the defending Champions defeated Bayside United 1-0 with Lucy Richards scoring the winner in the 21st minute.
Bullen are undefeated in their last 11 games at David Barro Stadium (W7, D5) including victories over Box Hill United and Southern United in their last two matches at the venue. Calder United won’t be intimidated by Bulleen’s home record as they have only lost two matches on the road this season (W4, 4D, 2L).
WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?
Round 10: Bulleen Lions 1-1 Calder United
Goals: Ava Groba (CU) 16, Alana Jancevski (BL) 70
Round 21: Calder United 0-0 Bulleen Lions
Goals:
Nike F.C. Cup Final: Calder United 2-0 Bulleen Lions
Goals: Lucy Richards (CU) 78, Raquel Deralas (CU) 90
FC Bulleen Lions
Bulleen Lions head into this do-or-die final as the NPLW Premiers, finishing in first place after the home and away season with 40 points.
Caitlin Friend’s team had the best defensive record in the league with only 19 goals conceded from 20 matches, however, their attack ranks fifth for goals scored.
The Lions head into this weekend on the back of a convincing 3-0 victory against Southern United, a draw against Calder, and a 4-2 victory against Alamein.
A-League superstars Alana Jancevski (7 goals) and Maja Markovski (4 goals) have added more firepower to the Bulleen line-up since coming into the side mid-season, while Rosie Rodger, Alana Burn and Tiffany Eliadis are all capable of contributing in attack having scored three league goals this campaign.
Bulleen possesses one of the most lethal midfields in the competition with Paige Zois creating the most scoring chances from set pieces in the competition (23).
Caitlin Friend likes to send her team out with a 4-5-1 formation with Markovski spearheading the attack. Jancevski and Zois could be joined in midfield by Alana Burn, Beattie Goad, and captain Tiffany Eliadis, while Ahroa Little and Audrey Oastler could also feature during the match.
The Bulleen defence has been resolute all season and is pretty settled with established NPLW talent. American centre-back Katie Beck will marshall the defence, alongside AlexNatoli, Claudia Mihocic, and Faith Stephenson.
Calder United SC
Calder United managed to recover from a rocky start to finish in fourth and give themselves the opportunity to defend their 2022 Championship success.
In 2023, Calder won 10 matches (one behind Bulleen) to finish the season on 35 points, setting up a huge Nike F.C. Cup Final rematch this weekend.
Calder may have already had one of the best defensive lines in the league, however this season they have added another string to their bow, becoming the second-best attack in the competition.
A-League talent Raquel Deralas has been enormous since coming into the side mid-season with 10 goals to her name.
Keiwa Hieda has also found the back of the net 10 times and has made 94 take-ons throughout the season, the second-most of any player in the competition behind FV Emerging’s Alana Cortellino (105); Hieda has a 54% success rate from her 94 take-ons.
Lucy Richards, Isabella Sewards and Alyssa Smith provide the midfield with plenty of energy and strength while Ava Groba will provide added support on the right to Deralas and Hieda.
Calder will likely trust their back four which has been so reliable all season with Natasha Dakic, Alana Cerne, Annabel Haffenden and Montanna Matthews all entrusted in keeping the Bulleen attackers at bay.
NPLW Semi-Final
FC Bulleen Lions v Calder United SC
Date: Saturday, September 2
Venue: Veneto Club – David Barro Stadium
Kick-off Time: 4:00 pm (AEST)
Broadcast: NPL.TV
Boroondara Eagles v South Melbourne Semi-Final
SUMMARY
Boroondara Eagles and South Melbourne will face off this Saturday night in the second NPLW Semi-Final at the Veneto Club.
Boroondara comes into this clash losing two out of their past three matches, including a 2-0 loss to their opponents in the last round of the season.
The Eagles dominated the season, finishing just shy of the Premiers Plate, however, their opponents this Saturday were the only team in the competition they were unable to earn a point against in the regular season.
South Melbourne won two out of their last five matches in the NPLW, splitting the points with Southern United and Alamein, while going down to Calder and defeating the Preston and the Eagles.
Boroondara won six out of their 10 matches at the Veneto Club this season, with two of their blemishes coming against home-ground tenant Bulleen Lions.
South Melbourne on the other hand has found a measure of success on the road this season, only losing two out of their 12 matches played away from Lakeside Stadium.
WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?
Round 11: South Melbourne 4-3 Boroondara Eagles
Goals: Danielle Wise (SM) 5, 89, Tayla Christensen (SM) 9, Brianne Reed (SM) 16, Kristina Hall (BE) 22, Kurea Okino (BE) 25, Emily Sutcillfe (BE) 46
Round 22: Boroondara Eagles 0-2 South Melbourne
Goals: Tayla Christensen (SM) 44, Danielle Wise (SM) 75
Boroondara Eagles
Boroondara exceeded all expectations this season after making the leap from the VPLW in 2022.
The Eagles finished second on the NPLW ladder after leading for the majority of the season, ending with 12 wins from 20 matches.
In 2023, Boroondara has by far, the best attacking record in the league with 61 goals for the season, while they rank eighth for goals against in the competition.
Number nine Kurea Okino has made 52 carries ending in a shot and 13 ending in a goal this season, more than any other player in either category.
The Japanese forward who scored a league-high 31 goals this season will play a major role in the match and if her side is going to progress into the NPLW Final.
Maggie Eudes and Emily Sutcliffe will likely play attacking roles alongside Okino, while French midfielder Margot Robinne will look to provide her attacking flare to the match.
The Eagles may have the worst defensive record of all finalists, however, Zoe Austen, Cassie Carmen, Maria Patrikis and Arina Takunuga have played the majority of the season together and will have the experience of Kristina Hall as defensive cover in front of them.
South Melbourne
South Melbourne has returned to the NPLW final four for the first time since 2019 and with plenty of firepower, the Victorian powerhouse is primed for the big stage.
South ended the 2023 campaign in third position, with 10 wins from 20 matches and 36 points to their name.
George Georgiadis’ side has one of the best balances in the league with the fourth-best attack in the league and the second-best defensive record.
Captain Danielle Wise leads the way by scoring14 goals for the season, while New Zealand international Tayla Christensen is not far behind with nine goals.
Janna Lawson has found the back of the net five times from midfield and will look to gain the ascendancy through the middle of the pitch alongside Meisha Westland, Francesca Iermano, and Dragana Kljajic who has featured in 20 of South’s league games.
South’s defence has been rock solid this year with central defenders Leia Varley and American import Brianne Reed, making life tough for opposition forwards while the likes of Akeisha Sandhu and Sophie Papatsanis provide plenty of cover at full-back
NPLW Semi-Final
Boroondara Eagles SC v South Melbourne FC
Date: Saturday, September 2
Venue: Veneto Club – David Barro Stadium
Kick-off Time: 7:30 pm (AEST)
Broadcast: NPL.TV