The final round of the NPL Men’s season is shaping up to be exciting from start to finish with big games at both ends of the table.
Recently crowned 2020 Premiers Peninsula Power face off against the team that finished top last year, Lions FC, who need to win to secure more favorable Finals Series seeding, while Brisbane City, Capalaba FC and Sunshine Coast Wanderers are all hoping to stave off the threat of relegation.
It’s a round not to be missed and you can catch all the action live on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature Match:
Peninsula Power vs Lions FC
Having wrapped up the 2020 NPL Men’s Premiership last week with an emphatic 5-0 over Capalaba, Peninsula will be looking to continue their immense run of recent form as they prepare for Finals Series football.
Key to their surge towards the silverware has been striker Andy Pengelly, who has scored five goals in his last three appearances including a brace against Capalaba last week, which came off the back of being named as a contender to feature in the NPL All-Stars/Queensland squad for the Kappa Festival of Football.
Meanwhile, their opponents Lions FC are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 3-0 loss against second-placed Olympic FC at Lions Stadium in Round 13.
This is a game of great significance for Lions who need to win if they are going to have any chance of leapfrogging Gold Coast Knights and finishing third, therefore avoiding another date with the in-form Power in the Semi Finals.
A repeat of the reverse fixture would be ideal for Lions who earned a brilliant 3-1 win over Power at the last time these two faced off in Round 7.
In any case, a match-up between the two most recent Premiership winners is always an entertaining watch and a great prelude to the post-season action that lies ahead.
Match Details
Saturday, 14 November, 6:30pm
AJ Kelly Park
Live Stream Link
Key Matches:
Olympic FC v Brisbane City
Olympic came up just short of finishing first, with the coveted Premiership prize now out of their grasp heading into the final round of the season.
Ben Cahn’s side have nevertheless been outstanding all season long, proving their class with a hugely impressive 3-0 over Lions last time out with dynamic Japanese forward Tasuku Sekiya getting his name on the scoresheet for the third time in as many matches.
They will be looking to keep morale high heading into a planned assault on the Championship.
By contrast this is without question bottom-placed Brisbane City’s most important game of the season with the club needing a win and other results to go in their favour to secure survival.
City, currently one behind Capalaba, were left devasted last weekend in Round 13 by a 2-1 loss to Moreton Bay United away from home following a dramatic 94th minute winner from Linden Farr.
The equation for the them is quite simple this weekend: win, or go down.
Match Details
Saturday, 15 November, 6:00pm
Goodwin Park
Live Stream Link
Gold Coast Knights v Capalaba FC
It has been an impressive run home for Knights who seem to be hitting top form right before the start of the Finals Series.
The Gold Coast side have won all of their last five fixtures including a 2-0 win over Sunshine Coast Wanderers in Round 13 last weekend.
A win this weekend is important for Knights who can guarantee a third-place finish as 4th place Lions FC remain two points behind heading into this weekend.
For Capalaba a win is also crucial with the club currently sitting just one point above Brisbane City in the relegation zone.
The Bulldogs do have the luxury of being able to lose and stay up so long as Brisbane City do not win their match against Olympic, but they will not want to take any chances.
Capalaba came agonisingly close to guaranteeing safety during their game against Eastern Suburbs last Wednesday, leading 1-0 for the majority of the match until a brace from Anthony Poljak in the final 10 minutes of the game saw Easts win out.
This is a team who are known for their fighting spirit and camaraderie and they will need to display it one last time this weekend to secure their safety.
Match Details
Saturday, 14 November, 6:30pm
Croatian Sports Centre
Live Stream Link
Other Matches:
Eastern Suburbs v Brisbane Strikers
Saturday, 14 November, 4:45pm
Heath Park
Live Stream Link
Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Gold Coast United
Saturday, 14 November, 6:30pm
Ballinger Park
Live Stream Link
Moreton Bay United v Brisbane Roar Youth
Saturday, 15 November, 5pm
Wolter Park
Live Stream Link
Players to Watch:
Andy Pengelly (Peninsula Power): Last year’s Golden Boot winner with Strikers, Pengelly is once again hitting form with Peninsula after recovering from an injury early in the season. He will be looking to add to his tally of 12 goals in 13 matches this weekend against Lions.
Matt Smith (Brisbane City): Former Brisbane Roar captain and current City player-coach Matt Smith has a huge task ahead of him this weekend with his side needing a win against Olympic to survive relegation. Smith must marshal a back-four tasked with containing one of league’s most formidable frontlines featuring Daniel Leck, Jez Lofthouse and Tasuku Sekiya.
Scot Coulson (Capalaba FC): Recently named as a contender to play in the Kappa Festival of Football, Capalaba winger Coulson will need to produce one more big performance for the Bulldogs to ensure his side’s survival.
Words: Jacob Wala
Image: Ian Judd/Lions FC