The stakes have never been higher in the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL), with the FQPL Premiership and promotion to the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland all up for grabs in what is set to be a thrilling final round of the regular season.
Sunshine Coast Wanderers can secure the Premiership with a win, while after 17 rounds it all comes down to this weekend for Capalaba FC and Logan Lightning in their quest for promotion.
The decider of the season between Capalaba and Logan will be available to view live and on demand on Saturday night on the FQ website, FQ Facebook and FQ YouTube.
Capalaba will come into their final round clash off the back of an important win against ladder leaders Sunshine Coast Wanderers last weekend.
Many would have expected Sunshine Coast to clinch the title last round, but Capalaba came out on top and will no doubt bring a lot of confidence into this weekend’s match following their 1-0 Round 17 victory.
The current third-placed side have recorded two draws and three wins in their last five games.
Logan Lightning meanwhile have won their last five games, scoring 17 goals and conceding only six in the process.
This weekend’s blockbuster match looks to be one of the closest of the season as two of the most in-form FQPL sides go to battle for one last time in search of the ultimate prize; promotion into the NPL Queensland.
Last time they met, in the very first round of this year’s FQPL, Logan Lightning claimed a 2-0 victory over Capalaba.
MATCH DETAILS
Capalaba FC vs Logan Lightning
Saturday, 3 August, 7:00pm
John Fredericks Park
Other key matches:
Wolves FC v Sunshine Coast Wanderers
Sunshine Coast Wanderers would have been disappointed not to secure the Premiership last weekend as they fell to defeat at the hands of Capalaba. In Round 16 the week before, the Sunshine Coast side had to settle for a draw against Southside Eagles after recording seven wins in a row. The Wanderers will need to rediscover their winning form heading into the final round of the FQPL if they are to secure the Premiership this weekend with Logan currently only one point behind them in second.
Holland Park Hawks v Mitchelton FC
Fourth-placed Mitchelton will be looking for a strong finish to the regular season as they take on Holland Park Hawks this weekend. Mitchelton have recorded three wins in their last five games, including a close 4-3 victory again Rochedale Rovers last weekend. Their two losses in recent weeks have come at the hands of top three teams at the time, Wanderers and Logan, but Mitchelton will fancy their chances against a Holland Park side that won’t be making a finals appearance.
Players to watch:
Jed Brown (Logan Lightning): Logan Lightning’s leading goalscorer, Brown has scored 18 goals in 17 games and remains second in the Golden Boot race, just one goal behind Jeremy Stewart.
Jake Sherwood (Capalaba FC): The defender has been a consistent performer for his side, making three Team of the Week appearances in the last five rounds, and will need to be at his best in this weekend’s do or die clash against Logan.
Jeremy Stewart (Sunshine Coast Wanderers): The current FQPL leading goalscorer has been vital in Sunshine Coast’s rise up the FQPL ladder this season, and can help his team to the Premiership this weekend with a strong performance.
Image: Sunshine Coast Sports Photography
