Boroondara Eagles v South Melbourne Semi-Final
SUMMARY
Boroondara Eagles and South Melbourne will face off this Saturday night in the second NPLW Semi-Final at the Veneto Club.
Boroondara comes into this clash losing two out of their past three matches, including a 2-0 loss to their opponents in the last round of the season.
The Eagles dominated the season, finishing just shy of the Premiers Plate, however, their opponents this Saturday were the only team in the competition they were unable to earn a point against in the regular season.
South Melbourne won two out of their last five matches in the NPLW, splitting the points with Southern United and Alamein, while going down to Calder and defeating the Preston and the Eagles.
Boroondara won six out of their 10 matches at the Veneto Club this season, with two of their blemishes coming against home-ground tenant Bulleen Lions.
South Melbourne on the other hand has found a measure of success on the road this season, only losing two out of their 12 matches played away from Lakeside Stadium.
WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR?
Round 11: South Melbourne 4-3 Boroondara Eagles
Goals: Danielle Wise (SM) 5, 89, Tayla Christensen (SM) 9, Brianne Reed (SM) 16, Kristina Hall (BE) 22, Kurea Okino (BE) 25, Emily Sutcillfe (BE) 46
Round 22: Boroondara Eagles 0-2 South Melbourne
Goals: Tayla Christensen (SM) 44, Danielle Wise (SM) 75
Boroondara Eagles
Boroondara exceeded all expectations this season after making the leap from the VPLW in 2022.
The Eagles finished second on the NPLW ladder after leading for the majority of the season, ending with 12 wins from 20 matches.
In 2023, Boroondara has by far, the best attacking record in the league with 61 goals for the season, while they rank eighth for goals against in the competition.
Number nine Kurea Okino has made 52 carries ending in a shot and 13 ending in a goal this season, more than any other player in either category.
The Japanese forward who scored a league-high 31 goals this season will play a major role in the match and if her side is going to progress into the NPLW Final.
Maggie Eudes and Emily Sutcliffe will likely play attacking roles alongside Okino, while French midfielder Margot Robinne will look to provide her attacking flare to the match.
The Eagles may have the worst defensive record of all finalists, however, Zoe Austen, Cassie Carmen, Maria Patrikis and Arina Takunuga have played the majority of the season together and will have the experience of Kristina Hall as defensive cover in front of them.
South Melbourne
South Melbourne has returned to the NPLW final four for the first time since 2019 and with plenty of firepower, the Victorian powerhouse is primed for the big stage.
South ended the 2023 campaign in third position, with 10 wins from 20 matches and 36 points to their name.
George Georgiadis’ side has one of the best balances in the league with the fourth-best attack in the league and the second-best defensive record.
Captain Danielle Wise leads the way by scoring14 goals for the season, while New Zealand international Tayla Christensen is not far behind with nine goals.
Janna Lawson has found the back of the net five times from midfield and will look to gain the ascendancy through the middle of the pitch alongside Meisha Westland, Francesca Iermano, and Dragana Kljajic who has featured in 20 of South’s league games.
South’s defence has been rock solid this year with central defenders Leia Varley and American import Brianne Reed, making life tough for opposition forwards while the likes of Akeisha Sandhu and Sophie Papatsanis provide plenty of cover at full-back
NPLW Semi-Final
Boroondara Eagles SC v South Melbourne FC
Date: Saturday, September 2
Venue: Veneto Club – David Barro Stadium
Kick-off Time: 7:30 pm (AEST)
Broadcast: NPL.TV