The PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2014 Finals Series enters its second exciting weekend and is down to the final four with the two Semi Finals to be played on Saturday and Sunday.
There is a ‘State of Origin’ feel about the two matches, with Football New South Wales’ Bonnyrigg White Eagles taking on Football Queensland’s Palm Beach sharks, while in Melbourne Football Federation Victoria’s South Melbourne FC come up against Football Federation South Australia’s representative MetroStars SC.
The NSW v Queensland and Victoria v South Australia rivalries are sure to add extra spice to what already promises to be a pulsating two matches to decide who will reach, and host, the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2014 Final and remain in the running for a spot in next year’s Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32.
After putting six goals past Cooma Tigers last weekend, Bonnyrigg White Eagles will host Palm Beach Sharks in the first Semi Final on Saturday, the Sharks booking their spot after a come from behind 2-1 victory over Weston Workers from Northern NSW Football.
Bonnyrigg also came from a goal down against Cooma before taking full control in the second half as Aaron Peterson, Tynan Diaz stamped their authority. In an ominous sign, the White Eagles are expected to be at full strength on Saturday which includes their Golden Boot winner Robbie Younis who missed the match against the Tigers.
But Palm Beach Sharks are riding a high wave of momentum following their progression to the last eight of the Westfield FFA Cup on Tuesday night and are determined not to use fatigue as an excuse or let the chance of securing a spot in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2014 Final slip. Daniel Grzic is the Sharks’ only main injury concern after suffering a broken nose in a sickening collision during Tuesday night’s match.
The second Semi Final will be held at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon as South Melbourne FC and MetroStars SC do battle.
A superb overhead kick goal from a Jamie Reed, saw South Melbourne FC overcome South Hobart in Tasmania and Coach Chris Taylor will be expecting another high level performance from his charges in front of the home faithful on Sunday.
Midfielder Stephen Hatzikostas, who landed awkwardly on his right knee and has been ruled out for the rest of the PlayStation 4 2014 Finals Series, is the only player not available for selection, Hatzikostas’ spot set to be filled in the starting eleven by Tyson Holmes.
MetroStars SC find themselves on the road for the second week in a row after they prevailed in a penalty shootout against Football West’s Bayswater City last weekend when neither side managed to find the back of the net in regulation or extra time.
The South Australian club will need to sharpen its attacking prowess if it is to get past a South Melbourne FC defence that limited South Hobart’s goal scoring opportunities in the Elimination Finals.
Similarly in deciding which clubs would play at home in the Semi Finals, the host of the Final will also be determined by the same points system.
Tickets for both matches will be available at the venues on match day, while there will be a LIVE stream of South Melbourne FC’s clash with MetroStars SC on www.footballfedvic.com.au.
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2014 Semi Finals Preview
GAME 5 – Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Palm Beach Sharks
Bonnyrigg Sports Club, Bonnyrigg Heights NSW
Saturday 27 September 2014
Kick-off: 6:00pm AEST
Referee: Kurt Ams
Coverage details:
Follow Twitter updates at @FFA @footballnsw @nplqld
Join in the Twitter conversation using hashtags #BONvPBS #NPLFInals
Click here to visit the official match centre
Bonnyrigg White Eagles squad: 1.James CHRONOPOULOS (GK), 2.Alexander MANSUETO, 4.David VRANKOVIC, 5.Chris TADROSSE, 6.Nikola ZONJIC, 8.Alexander CANAK, 9.Robert YOUNIS, 10.Tynan DIAZ, 12.Dylan FOX, 13.Adam JENNER, 14.Jordan CRIGHTON, 15.Steven ILIC, 16.Howard FONDYKE, 17.Mitchell OSMOND, 18.AdrianUCCHINO, 19.Aaron PETERSON, 21.Bo Hyun CHUN, 22.Liam GOBBO (GK), 24.Alexander DOYLE, 26.Terek ERCAN
Coach: Brian Brown
Palm Beach Sharks squad: 1.Shane VITAKANGAS (GK), 2.Riley DILLON, 3.Jordan MASON, 4.Ethan GRIMLEY, 6.Newie COBBO, 7.Justyn McKAY, 8.Ben BUTLER, 9.Christopher LUCAS, 10.Jarrod KYLE, 11.Nikola MIRKOVIC, 12.Daniel GRZIC, 13.Scott GOLDSMITH-SCOTT, 14.Jonathon CAMILLERI, 15.Eoghan MURPHY, 16.Jack BOXELL, 17.Kristian REES, 18.Troy RUTHVEN, 19.Ike CAMPBELL, 20.Jack LITTLEJOHN (GK), 23.Karl DODD
Coach: Grae Piddick
GAME 6 – South Melbourne FC v MetroStars SC
Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park VIC
Sunday 28 September 2014
Kick-off: 3:00pm AEST
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
Coverage details:
LIVE stream at www.footballfedvic.com.au
FFV Radio online at http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/index.php?id=ffvradio
Follow Twitter updates at @FFA @nplvictoria @smfc @FFSANPL @MetroStarsSC
Join in the Twitter conversation using hashtags #SMvMS #NPLFinals
Click here to visit the official match centre
South Melbourne squad: 1.Jason SALDARIS (GK), 2.Tim MALA, 3.Andrew MULLLETT, 4.Michael EAGER (c), 6.Dimi TSIARAS, 7.Nick EPIFANO, 8.Mathew THEODORE, 9.Milos LUJIC, 10.Tyson HOLMES, 11.Brad NORTON, 12.Iqi JAWADI, 14.James MUSA, 15.Kobbie BOAHENE, 17.Jamie REED, 18.Dion KIRK, 21.Chris MAYNARD (GK), 23.Andy KECOJEVIC, 25.Shaun TIMMINS, 27.Leigh MINOPOULOS
Coach: Chris Taylor
MetroStars SC squad: 1.Julian CALI (GK), 2.David MENECHELLA, 3.Stefan CALI, 5.Lee ROBERTSON, 6.Anthony SOLAGNA, 7.Michael D’ALOISIO, 8.Rocky CALLISTO, 9.Steven GRELLI, 10.Andrew CIARLA, 11.Scott TUNBRIDGE, 12.Terry THEODOROU, 14.Adrian POLISENA, 15.Lawrence D’ARRIGO, 16.Andrew ORPHANOU, 18.Fabian BARBIERO, 19.Joseph POLISENA, 20.Daniel GODLEY (GK), 21.Adam VAN DOMMELE, 22.Alex COSIMIDIS, 23.Perry MITRIS
Coach: Ivan Karlovic