National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland Premiers and Champions Lions FC will host Victoria’s Heidelberg United FC in the first of the National Premier Leagues (NPL) 2018 Semi Finals on Tuesday, 18 September at Lions Stadium.
Lions FC defeated the Edgeworth Eagles 1-0 on Saturday night, thanks to an early goal from Marek Madle, while Heidelberg United FC defeated the Devonport Strikers in a thrilling 3-2 victory at Valley Road in Tasmania last Saturday, 8 September.
The other NPL 2018 Semi Final will see Campbelltown City SC (SA) host Sydney Olympic FC (NSW) on Saturday 22 September at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre.
Sydney Olympic defeated Perth SC 1-0 courtesy of a sixth minute goal from captain Jason Madonis. Campbelltown City SC booked their semi-finals berth after they defeated Canberra FC (ACT) 3-0 at Deakin Stadium yesterday.
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.
The winner of the NPL 2018 Finals Series will receive automatic entry into the FFA Cup 2019 Final Rounds, providing an added incentive for the eight clubs taking part.
Every 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.
The NPL 2018 Finals Series schedule is as follows:
| National Premier Leagues 2018 Semi Finals | ||||||
| Match 5: Saturday 22 September 2018 | Campbelltown City SC (SA) | Vs | Sydney Olympic FC (NSW) | Steve Woodcock Sports Centre, Newton, SA | 3:00pm | 3:30pm |
| Match 6: Tuesday 18 September 2018 | Lions FC (QLD) | Vs | Heidelberg United FC (VIC) | Lions Stadium, Richlands, QLD | 7:30pm | 7:30pm |
| National Premier Leagues 2018 Grand Final | ||||||
| Match 7: 29/30 September 2018 | Winner of Match 5 | Vs | Winner of Match 6 | Host to be determined by points system | ||
POINTS SYSTEM TO DETERMINE HOSTS OF SEMI FINALS AND GRAND FINAL:
To determine the host Member Federation clubs for the Semi Finals and Grand Final, the following points system will apply.
- Win within normal time (i.e. 90 minutes) = 3 points
- Win during extra time = 2 points
- Win on penalties = 1 point
- Goals scored by home team (excluding penalty shootouts) = 3 points
- Goals scored by away team (excluding penalty shootouts) = 4 points
- Goals conceded (excluding penalty shootouts) = -1 point
- Yellow cards = -1 point; and
- Red cards = -3 points
The host of the Grand Final will be determined by the club with the highest accumulation of points across the Elimination Finals and Semi Finals.
Image: Ian Judd
