Queensland’s finest Lions FC will do battle against Northern NSW’s Edgeworth Eagles FC in an Elimination Final on Saturday night at Lions Stadium in this year’s edition of the NPL Finals Series.
The NPL Finals Series brings together the eight teams who finished top of their respective NPL standings at the end of their regular seasons to determine Australia’s best NPL side.
There is also more at stake than just national pride, with the eventual winner of the NPL 2018 Finals Series receiving automatic entry into the FFA Cup 2019 Final Rounds.
Lions FC (QLD) v Edgeworth Eagles FC (NNSW)
Lions Stadium, Richlands
Saturday, 15 September, 7:30pm
Lions eye further glory
Less than a week after claiming a thrilling extra-time victory over Olympic FC in the NPL Queensland Grand Final, Premiers and now Champions Lions FC host the winners of the Northern NSW NPL, Edgeworth Eagles FC.
The winner of Saturday’s Elimination Final progresses to the Semi Finals of the competition to take on the winner of the match between Tasmanian Premiers Devonport Strikers FC and NPL Victoria conquistadors Heidelberg United FC.
Despite coming off the back of a gruelling recent set of fixtures, including back-to-back 120 minute games, Lions FC are up for the State of Origin-style clash according to coach Warren Moon.
“I know their coach well, I know their team well, they are a very good side, so we won’t take them lightly,” Moon said.
“We’ll try to get ourselves up again, and we’ll try to prepare ourselves to win the game against Edgeworth and see where it takes us.”
Lions’ Grand Final hero and goalkeeper Luke Borean also stressed the importance of the clash.
“We’re on the national stage again which is good, obviously get to show what we can do and hopefully we can put on a good show for our supporters again,” the Lions custodian said.
The Lions’ will have to be at their best to advance to the next round against a formidable Eagles outfit.
Despite losing key personnel in the pre-season, Edgeworth won the Northern NSW NPL Premiership at a canter, with an 11 point gap between them and second-placed Broadmeadow Magic in the final standings.
Last week, however, the Eagles lost 3-0 in the NPL Northern NSW Grand Final last Saturday against Broadmeadow.
If fans needed any extra reasons to turn up, the interstate showdown will also play host to a bevy of former Hyundai A-League talent, with Josh Brindell-South and Jean Carlo Solorzano turning out for Lions and ex-Central Coast Mariners pair Daniel McBreen and Josh Rose kitting up for Edgeworth.
The do-or-die clash, along with every other match in the NPL 2018 Finals Series, will be streamed LIVE on www.nationalpremierleagues.com.au as well as via the official Hyundai A-League Facebook page.
Words: Samuel Johnson
Image: Alison Langevad/Football Queensland
