Casey Comets and the Essendon Royals are set to battle it out this Sunday to determine the inaugural Nike F.C. Community Cup Champions.
Nike first became the naming rights sponsor of the Victorian Women’s State Knockout Cup in 2019, and this year the partnership will showcase two of the best community clubs in Victoria for the Nike F.C. Community Cup.
Head-to-Head
The Nike F.C. Community Cup Grand Finalists have faced off three times this season with Essendon claiming the bragging rights with two victories to one.
In Round 1 of the VPLW, Essendon defeated Casey 3-0 at Comets Stadium with three goals in the first 35 minutes, blowing away their opponents.
In their next meeting during the home and away season, Essendon once again came away with a 3-0 victory, Japanese forward Ayano Koizumi was the player of the match with a brace.
The two sides then faced off in the Quarterfinals of the Nike F.C. Cup and it was Casey who came away with a 2-1 victory after captain Candela Ferreyra Bas scored the decisive goal in the 89th minute.
Casey Comets
In 2022, Casey was eliminated from the Nike F.C. Cup in the second round of their competition, however this year they fared much better, making it all the way to the Semi-Finals.
Casey Comets Head Coach Del Donnely said he was “very much” looking forward to the challenge of taking on the Royals for the fourth time this season.
“It was great to get a good run in the Cup, and still be alive in the VPLW, it has been a great season,” he said.
“I feel like we have become friends with Vince and the girls at Essendon we have played them that much this year.
"It will be another tough game for us, they are top of the league, and they have conceded three goals all season for a reason.
“They are a very strong outfit; you have to respect them for what they have been able to do this year.”
The Comets sit in third place on the VPLW ladder, eight points away from their ladder-leading opponents with three rounds remaining.
Casey has the second-best attack in the league (behind Essendon) with Mami Ambo leading all-comers with 30 goals for the season.
Nike F.C. Cup matches
- Round 3 – 6-1 v Mazenod FC
- Round 4 – 4-2 v Spring Hills FC
- Round 5 – 1-0 Avondale FC
- QF – 2-1 v Essendon Royals SC
- SF - 5-0 v FC Bulleen Lions
Essendon Royals
In 2022, Essendon Royals fell out of the Nike F.C. Cup in Round 5 after conceding an own goal against the eventual winners Calder United.
This year, they were able to make it to the Quarterfinals where they were knocked out by their Community Cup Final opponents Casey Comets 2-1.
Essendon Royals Head Coach Vince Battiato said Casey will be a “really interesting” match-up.
“The Comets are in our league (VPLW) and we have beaten them both times this season 3-0, so I have to take confidence away from that,” he said.
“Although the scorelines look comfortable, the second time we took them on we were down 1-0 and scored twice in the last 10 minutes, it is never an easy game against them.
“We rate Casey very highly and there is a reason they are in the top three with us and Brunswick Juventus fighting for the title.”
Essendon have had a terrific VPLW season, winning 14 out of their 17 matches so far to sit one point clear on top of the table and eight points clear of the Comets.
The Royals have the best attacking and defensive record in the league with 77 goals for the season, while they have amazingly only conceded three goals for the season.
Essendon captain Rachel Alonso leads the club’s Golden Boot race with 19 goals from 17 games and Ayano Koizumi is not far behind with 14 goals from 15 matches.
Nike F.C. Cup matches
- Round 3 – 4-1 v Bayside Argonauts FC
- Round 4 – 4-0 v Caroline Springs George Cross
- Round 5 – 2-0 Bayside United
- QF – 2-1 v Casey Comets
2023 Nike F.C. Community Cup Final
Casey Comets v Essendon Royals
Date: Sunday, 13th August
Venue: The Home of the Matildas
Kick-off Time: 2:00 pm (AEST)
Broadcast: NPL.TV and Football Victoria's Facebook/YouTube Channels.