Flight Centre Premier League Grand Finals Preview
Flight Centre Premier League Lions FC vs Mitchelton Saturday 7pm @ AJ Kelly Field It’s fitting that Lions FC and Mitchelton are in the Grand Final because, as we know, they finished as the top two in Flight Centre Premier League. These teams met two weeks ago and despite the Mustangs taking the lead through Josh McVey it was all Lions in the second half as they recorded a 3-2 victory. On that form alone they will be favourites but in the regular season two big wins, 4-1 and 4-0, also suggest this could be one-sided. But, if you take those results out of the equation, particularly the Major semi-final, Mitchelton are playing as good as they have or probably can. Having Ben Njie back for the full ninety minutes is a huge bonus because if anyone can whack away a handful of goals it’s the English import. The real balance of power however lies in Lions’ strength in every position. They are full of game breakers and are far and away the best at set-pieces, even from the long throw of Nathan Reardon. If Mitchelton can hold out for an hour they will be in with a real chance. If they take the lead it will be even better but this game won’t be decided by a single goal so parking the bus is tantamount to committing suicide Lions will need to break the recent Grand Final upset hoodoo to come out with the trophy but, ultimately, their best chance of losing is if they beat themselves. The battle between Gabriel Sarasol and Marco Jankovic is sure to be a highlight. Attack is probably the best option for Mitchy so expect plenty of goals. Lions big backline will take advantage of set-pieces once again. Prediction: Lions 4-2 Capital League 1 Grange Thistle vs Southside Eagles Saturday 4:30pm @ AJ Kelly Field Grand Final day has been blessed with some fantastic Capital League 1 games and this intriguing contest between Grange Thistle and Southside Eagles is shaping to be yet another classic. Both these teams have a great work rate so the one who drops their guard first could be the one walking away disappointed. Unlike the Flight Centre Premier League GF, this won’t be decided tactically, it will be last man standing and could easily go longer than regular time. It won’t be a surprise if Matt Hornby for Thistle or Josh Falco for SSE find the net because they are quality around the area but it’s the unexpected players who bob up in the right place at the right time which often put their name into history with an unexpected goal. With no major injuries and confidence building victories over Souths United under their belt, either team can win. That’s what Grand Finals are about. Grange will be slight favourites but the Eagles will be pumped not to leave an excellent season with nothing to show for it. Prediction: 1-1 draw (Thistle win on penalties.) Capital League 2 Acacia Ridge vs The Gap Saturday 2pm @ AJ Kelly Field With all due respect to the rest of Capital League 2, The Gap and Acacia Ridge are the two best sides and will provide a formidable challenge for each other. The last two games between these teams have been decided by a single goal so you can guarantee there won’t be any blow-outs happening despite the presence of Ryuhei Nose and Jamal Spelta for the Gators and the striking combination of Juan Jaimes and Luka Ilic for the All-Stars. The first team to score will have a huge advantage and it could well come from an error despite both teams being masters of mistake free football. Attractive attacking play has been something of a hallmark but it’s more likely this will turn into a slog-fest in the middle of the park. It could go either way but The Gap have been the best team in Capital League 2 and despite some nervy times will find their best form. Prediction: The Gap 1-0 Capital League 3 Toowong vs Virginia United Sunday 4pm @ Elder Oval Both teams got through a penalty shootout to make the Grand Final so on paper it looks like a tight match up between Toowong and Virginia United. During the regular season the Reds had the measure of the Phoenix, not conceding a goal and scoring six of their own. Virginia may have fallen away slightly but a nagging doubt remains that Toowong played their Grand Final when they won at Albert Bishop Park two weeks ago. The surface at Elder Oval will be a leveller, not that it’s bad but it certainly isn’t the equivalent of AJ Kelly Field where United’s pace could have had a major impact. Toowong must score at least twice to win and that’s the hardest task in Capital League 3 this season. Prediction: Virginia 2-0 Capital League 4 Caboolture vs Samford Rangers Sunday 5pm @ AJ Kelly Park With 306 regular season goals between them at an average of 4.2 goals per game, it’s not exactly rocket science to suggest that both Caboolture and Samford Rangers like to attack. They do, and they like attack at pace which ensures some spectacular football on the carpet at AJ Kelly Field. First touches in the front third will be vital with the opportunity to spread the ball long and wide high on the agenda. The scoreline could frankly be ridiculous so in the final assessment it could be desperate defending which decides where the trophy goes. Goals, goals, goals and goals. This will be a shootout with both goalkeepers under heavy pressure for the duration of the game. Prediction: Caboolture 5-3
