Capital Leagues Finals Preview
Capital League 1 Souths United vs Southside Eagles Sunday 6pm @ Wakerley Park Souths United achieved their most significant goal in being promoted back to the Flight Centre Premier League but their loss last week to Grange Thistle sees them one step away from missing the Grand Final. It’s not all bad news though...they dominated possession but didn’t create enough genuine opportunities. It’s unlikely that will happen two weeks in a row. When the smoke clears, Southside Eagles will look back on 2016 as an incredibly important season for the club. Once again they are a credible challenger for higher honours and will go into next season as one of the favourites to win promotion. But a Grand Final place would be something special for the club. Josh Falco has been sensational all year and he’ll do his best to ensure that happens. This could be a classic battle which goes down to the wire. Nothing is certain although Souths will be deserved favourites. Prediction: Souths 2-1 (after extra time) Capital League 2 The Gap vs Annerley Saturday 6pm @ Walton Bridge Reserve The Gap have been clearly the best team all season but fell at the first finals hurdle with a 1-0 loss to Acacia Ridge. Many are the clubs who have dominated but not found themselves able to make it to the big dance. They need to be composed mentally to get through this game and achieve the desired outcome and can only lose if they are their own worst enemy. Heavy favourites. Annerley somehow managed to fall apart by losing to Park Ridge and Slacks Creek in the last two games but, when it seemed as if defeat was inevitable, rebounded with a fine victory over Brisbane Force. It’s worth remembering that the Stars were the only team to win at Walton Bridge Reserve when they beat the Gators 2-1 in Rd16. They’ll need that kind of form, obviously, to win this game. The mental approach from both sides will decide this contest and despite Annerley putting on an excellent performance, the Gators will go through. Prediction: The Gap 1-0 Capital League 3 Virginia United vs Tarragindi Tigers Friday 7:15pm @ Albert Bishop Park Virginia United turned over and were defeated in the game of the weekend, becoming the first Premiers to lose when they were beaten on penalties by Toowong. An early season streak put them clear at the top for most of 2016 but things got a little shaky towards the run home. Is this the year of the underdog? It certainly looks that way but it’s arguable that there is no favourite in this game. Tarragindi Tigers are the unspoken success story of the season, and they’ll be more than that if they can go on and win the Grand Final despite missing out on promotion. Last weekend they produced a thumping 4-0 win over Jimboomba United which was important but not as eye-catching as their 1-0 win over Virginia in Rd21. The Tigers are the slow burners and may have timed their run just right. This could be the best game of the weekend. Neither team will go down without a fight and both teams are capable of scoring goals. Prediction: 3-3 draw (Tarragindi win on penalties) Capital League 4 St George Willawong vs Samford Rangers Sunday 6pm @ St George’s Park St George Willawong will be a force for years to come so their promotion was the most important achievement in 2016. But it was inevitable once they beat Samford Rangers at St George’s Park and more silverware was the next goal. Last weekend they were poor against Caboolture which cost them a chance at a home Grand Final and showed cracks in their armour for the first time this season. It’s a simple equation. If Samford Rangers keep their squad together they will be promoted back to Capital League 3 next season having been competitive in a league featuring two teams who didn’t belong that low. Can they make the Grand Final with a massive upset? Of course they can. They have two of the best strikers running around in Dane Forsyth and Ryan Gleeson. St George surely can’t play as bad as they did last weekend again. If they do, their season will be over. Prediction: St George 2-0
