The 2025 NPLM Preliminary Final 2 Preview
Heidelberg United v Preston Lions
Venue: Olympic Village
Date/Time: Friday, September 5, 7:30pm
The longest standing rivalry of this season's NPLM finalists, Olympic Village will be the home of Victorian football on Friday evening as Hahn Australia Cup finalists Heidelberg United host Preston Lions in one of the most anticipated clashes of the 2025 season.
The two combatants played out a classic 1-1 draw at The Home of The Matildas in Round 4, with the Bergers enjoying a 'Raging Bull' inspired victory in the return leg at Genis Steel Stadium.
With just one loss in the NPLM since the first weekend in March, Heidelberg have been one of the form teams of the competition, John Anastasiadis leading the Bergers to both the Dockerty and Hahn Australia Cup Finals in a remarkable 36-match campaign thus far. With qualification for the Australian Championship confirmed, the Bergers have enjoyed a truly memorable 2025.
But Preston Lions are not to be outdone. Their return to the national stage has also come with Finals qualification immediately after a promotion season. With seven consecutive wins leading into Friday night's encounter, the Lions will be confident of their chances given their upset victory over the Cannons on the weekend.
A large crowd is expected to support both teams at Olympic Village, with the winner set to take their place in the NPLM Grand Final at Lakeside Stadium on September 14.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 66
Heidelberg United: 24
Preston Lions: 23
Draws: 19
Last Time They Met
Friday June 6 2025, 8:30pm
Genis Steel Stadium, Reservoir
Preston Lions 0
Heidelberg United 1 (Juach 43)
Referee: Calvin-Kei Berg
Preston Lions: Lucas Trenkovski, Aaron Anderson, Lleyton Brooks, Connor Bell (Gian Albano 78), Jonas Markovski, Jake Trajkovski, Matthew Bozinovski, Jason Romero, Oliver Kubilay (Giorgio Serdenes 90+5), Brandon Lauton, Stefan Nigro; Coach: Lou Acevski; Cautions: Markovski 45+1.
Heidelberg United: Yaren Sozer, Benjamin Collins, Jamal Ali, Anthony Lesiotis, Fletcher Fulton, Cherif Mohamed Aidara, Bul Juach (Chok Dau 90+3), Sebit James Ngor, Ryan Lethlean, Asahi Yokokawa (Peter Klaassen 90+3), Max Bisetto (Jay McGowan 65); Coach: John Anastasiadis; Cautions: Fulton 31, Ali 38.
Watch the Last Time They Met!
The Key Matchup: Bul Juach v Matthew Bozinovski
While Bul Juach enjoyed a wonderful campaign with the Magic in 2024, his move to Heidelberg United has solidified his position as one of the competition's leading marksmen. The 2025 NPLM Golden Boot has been in exceptional form, netting 20 goals in the League and is fresh from scoring the opener against Auckland FC in the semi-finals of the Hahn Australia Cup. Stopping the 'Raging Bull' will go a long way to curtailing the Bergers attack on Friday evening.
Matthew Bozinovski has enjoyed a standout debut season with Preston, missing just one match in the League and amassing 2,340 minutes for the season. The 24-year-old has matured under the tutelage of Lou Acevski and will enjoy the responsibility of marking the game's most lethal striker.
Can Juach light up the Village and seal his team a berth in the NPLM Grand Final, or will Bozinvoski and co. spoilt the party and book the Lions a place in the decider?
Match commentators: Josh Parish and Mark Ivkovic.
The 2025 NPLM Preliminary Finals will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
For a full and comprehensive season overview and preview of the NPL Finals participants you can download the 2025 NPLM Official Finals Guide.
NPLM Preliminary Finals
- Friday 5 September, 7:30pm: Heidelberg United v Preston Lions @ Olympic Village
- Sunday 7 September, 2:00pm: Avondale v Dandenong City @ Avenger Park