Casey Comets are riding a wave of momentum after their Cup run and will need to overcome Essendon for the second time in the tournament to be crowned the first Nike F.C. Community Cup Champions.
The Comets bowed out in the third round of the Nike F.C. Cup last season and were only one match away from the big dance this year, losing to FC Bulleen Lions 5-0 at home in the Semi-Final.
Casey Comets Head Coach Del Donnely said his group was “super excited” to play the first competitive match at The Home of the Matildas on August 19.
“It’s pretty exciting, we have been trying to keep a lid on it and concentrate on our league games, but you can’t deny it,” he explained.
“Nike have been fantastic in promoting the game and what they have given to the girls, it has given them a sense of excitement and given the competition feel that extra bit special.
“There is no denying the girls have one eye on it and to be honest I do as well. It’s a cup final that’s what we coach and play for.
“To give the club something to be proud of and to have all our juniors there on the day and something to aspire to will be fantastic.”
Donnely explained a culture change was the difference in results for his side, after exiting the competition in the second round last year.
“It’s a brand new team, we didn’t expect to get as far as we did considering we were a new team,” he said.
“We just took each game as it came and enjoyed every minute of it and the best part is it’s not over yet.”
In Casey’s first match of the Nike F.C. tournament, they defeated Mazenod FC 6-1 with Mami Ambo scoring a hat-trick.
“We were in control of the whole game, I think we were 3-0 up at halftime,” Donnely remembered.
“We gelled really well together that day.”
In Round 4 of the Nike F.C. Cup, Casey defeated fellow VPLW side Spring Hills 4-2, and dynamic striker Mami Ambo once again scored three goals.
“That was a cracking game, they were very dangerous,” Donnely said.
“We played them on a Wednesday night, and then the Sunday, we also played them a few weeks ago and they have all been great games.
“Every time we face them it is a hard-fought battle, but on the night our Japanese striker (Ambo) was excellent and proved the difference.”
Next up for the Comets in their Cup run was Avondale, who they managed to scathe past 1-0 in a tough contest.
“I remember the night, it was tough conditions; there was a gale blowing up the pitch and Avondale put us under a lot of pressure,” Donnely said.
“We battled well and were able to control the game in the second half, mainly because of the wind.
“We got a fortunate goal which proved the difference, but we had chances we should have put away anyway.”
Casey then found themselves in the Quarterfinals of the Nike F.C. Cup and with a chance at making it to the final four of the competition.
They faced off against fellow VPLW side Essendon Royals and managed to defeat their rivals in a thrilling contest with their captain Ferreyra Bas scoring a 89th-minute winning goal.
“That was the third time we played them this season and we haven’t had too much joy against them,” Donnely explained.
“It was a cracking game, an absolute battle.
“They are so defensively strong there is a reason they are top of the league, but we managed to get 1-0 up at half-time after scoring from a header.
“We defended very well and were very organised against them and they equalised and then we scored with a minute to go, we are looking forward to facing them again.”
Casey was one game away from the big dance, but the star-studded Bulleen Lions stood in their way.
The Comets hosted the NPLW outfit on a cold Thursday night and were ultimately outclassed from the first whistle – going down 5-0.
“It was a great night for the club and have some excitement around the game and for our juniors and committee to have something to sing about,” Donnely said.
“Bulleen was a different class, and it was clear to see, but it was a great experience for the girls. A few girls have ambitions to play in the NPLW and higher, so it was a great game for them to see where the standard is at.”
This weekend, Casey will have an opportunity to prove their victory against Essendon in the Nike F.C. Cup Semi-Final was no fluke, and become the first-ever Nike F.C. Community Champions.