The NPLWA – Women’s competition will be bookended in familiar fashion as the league’s top two sides Perth RedStar and Perth Soccer Club face off at the State Football Centre in Saturday’s Top Four Cup final.
Back in March, these two contested the Night Series final, which was won by the Azzurri on penalties to give the club its first piece of women’s silverware.
The league meetings were largely tight with two draws and one RedStar win, but last weekend’s major semi-final saw the champions cruise past Perth SC 5-1, courtesy of four second-half goals.
RedStar coach Carlos Vega Mena said he was pleased with how his team were able to click into gear in the second period, despite having had a week off due to the Hyundai Women’s State Cup Final.
“It’s always hard to be in your best form when you come back from a break, but it was a really good performance from us in the second half,” he said.
“We had a couple of girls with little injuries such as Jay Coleman and that time allowed her to get back, so that worked in our favour. We knew we were a little off the mark at half-time, but we gave ourselves a push to get that physical edge and that’s what we did in the second half.”
Despite personnel changes in the off-season, RedStar went back-to-back in the league, winning that by seven points, and now attention turns to Saturday’s Top Four Cup and defending their post-season title.
“I’ve been so happy with the girls this season and it’s been an honour to work with them again,” Vega Mena said.
“They always respond to different challenges and consistently know when they need to give that little bit extra within games to win. We have a consistency with how we play and anyone who comes in and replaces somebody else is able to adjust to the system easily.
“The good thing for the girls is they’re always motivating each other for every game they play because they want to win every game. That’s what the focus will be again this week and then we can reflect afterwards to see whether we’ve been able to do the league and top four (double) again.
“It’s always a tough game with Perth SC who are a great team and have some very talented individuals, so it will be a good challenge again.”
The Azzurri, meanwhile, had to take the long road to the final after Sunday’s RedStar loss, but earned a second crack at the champions following a 3-0 win over Hyundai NTC in the midweek preliminary final.
It was a terrific first-half performance from Perth with goals from Gemma Craine, Ella Lincoln and Faye Phillips giving them an advantage at the interval, which NTC could not reduce.
Perth head coach Pete Rakic was pleased with the response from his side and said a repeat of that intensity will be required if they are to lift a second trophy in 2023.
“It was the message pre-game to make sure we put forward a performance that was worth noting. That was the main objective as we thought it was something that was missing in the second half against RedStar,” he said.
“It was also important that we took our chances and were good in those moments. Having three goals go in early helped us set the tone and we were able to manage the game in the second half.
“We always relish the opportunity to play against RedStar because they’re the best team in the league, the most mature and experienced side, and it’s always a good challenge for our girls to try and match that level.
“The biggest thing for us this weekend to give ourselves the best chance of lifting silverware is making sure we stay tight, keep to our game plan and really keep to those one-percenters we showed tonight. I think if we can put that all into play then we will give ourselves a chance on Saturday and we’re going to go out and give it everything.”