Capital Leagues Weekly Preview
It’s Finals time!!! Plenty of big games to keep an eye on this weekend.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 1
Major Semi - Taringa Rovers v North Pine Rovers won both fixtures during the season, 2-0 at North Pine and 4-2 at home, so have a psychological advantage. But that really counts for nought when finals’ time arrives. Both have scored plenty of goals (over 60 each), but Taringa’s defence was the meanest in the division at less than a goal a game. Up front, Taringa have a trio of threats in Milan Sekulic, Sean Karambasis and Omar Hamid who have scored 38 goals between them. The Gorillas have relied on Shuto Kuboyama with 22 goals to his credit with Rhyan Scriggins (11) in support. North Pine’s defence is an issue – they conceded three and four in their last two matches against lower end teams. Taringa’s attacking threats and defensive miserliness should see them through. 3-1 to Taringa. Minor Semi - Brisbane Knights v Wolves FC The spoils were shared between these two in fixtures. Wolves won 1-0 at Tingalpa while the Knights won 3-1 at Rocklea. Knights are unbeaten in four matches. On the field, Wolves have lost their last three but they were the beneficiaries of North Star’s ineligible player indiscretion in a game they lost. Jay Reid is the Knights’ leading scorer on 13 with Jacob Davidge getting 10. Wolves have shared their goals around with no player in double figures (Scott Dykman on eight the highest). Knights’ defence has let in over two goals a game and that is of concern. Just have a feeling that Wolves might get up in this one. 3-2 to Wolves FC.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 2
Major Semi - Centenary Stormers v Virginia Utd Virginia won the first match at Albert Bishop Park by 5-1 but Centenary reversed that at Atthows Park, winning 3-0. The Stormers had a number of goal scoring contributors with Shoheel Khan getting 19, Stephen Chester 13, Joe Kleibo 13 and Jason Le 10. Virginia’s main men were Michael Geddes 11, Alex Nicolaidis 10 and Jordan Pitt 10, while also boasting the division’s best defence at less than a goal a game. Centenary are unbeaten in six matches. Virginia won their last two after two straight losses in games that, on paper, they should have won. Those losses cost them the Premiership. The Stormers will be favourites to win at home and I think they will do so, 2-1 after extra-time. Minor Semi - Ipswich City v Annerley There was a win each at their respective home grounds in matches between these two. Ipswich City benefited from a Western Spirit forfeit to take third spot and get the home final. If this doesn’t spur Annerley on then nothing will. The Bulls were the division’s top scorers with 83 goals but Annerley were no pikers , netting 70. For City, Ryan Adekoya New scored 25, Dane Grant 17, Zygan Condie 12 and Kay Kitching 10. Annerley’s James Gorrie was on target 32 times in 19 games. The message is simple here for the Bulls – stop James Gorrie. They did in the match at Sutton Park but he got one at Elder Oval in Annerley’s 2-1 win. Annerley have won 5 out of 6 (losing to Centenary), Ipswich City lost the last match they actually played (to Virginia). An upset here with Annerley to win 4-3.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 3
Major Semi - St George Willawong v Caboolture When these two met in the season opener at Willawong, nobody could have predicted the 8-1 thrashing handed out by the Saints. Caboolture gained revenge with a 4-1 win at Grant Road. David Grecl (15) and Anthony Sarramea (12) are St George’s goal scoring leaders while The Snakes have relied on James Fairgrieve (23) and Sam Heaney (16). Both teams have others chipping to get them into the 80s in the goals scored column. This is a carbon copy of 2016 in Capital 4 when the Saints won the Premiership and played the Snakes in the major Semi Final. Caboolture won that and then went on the win the Grand Final, while the Saints lost the Preliminary Final. Will history repeat? I don’t think so, Saints to win on penalties after 2-2 draw.
Minor Semi - AC Carina v Westside 2-1 was the score in both meetings between these teams during the season, with one win apiece at home. Carina rely heavily on Daniel Abbey and Robert Knowles for goals. They have 13 goals each with Damien Kealy getting 10. That amounts to 36 of their 48 goals. Westside have shared them around a little more with Ross Peach on 13 goals, their only player in double figures. The Dolphins have won four of their last five since the loss to Westside. The Grovely boys have a 3W/1D/1L record in that time. Carina’s defence was the equal best in the division. That, combined with their firepower up front and home advantage (such as it is), means they are my tip, 2-0.
CAPITAL LEAGUE 4
Major Semi - Samford Rangers v North Brisbane Two meetings – two 2-0 results – one for each team (winners at home each time). North Brisbane’s win was Samford’s only defeat of the season. Samford’s win was only a couple of weeks ago and was basically the Premiership decider. Samford scored plenty of goals (75 in 16 matches) with Dane Forsyth getting 29 and Ryan Gleeson 17. The Aces’ return was a more modest 49 goals but still three per game. Amardeep Ghooti with 15 and Ranveer Atwal with 10 were their main scorers. North Brisbane had the best defence conceding 12 goals. Samford only allowed 14. Samford showed no sign of easing up with a 5-1 win over Logan Metro in a catch-up match last weekend, making it eight wins on the trot. Rangers should continue on in that vein with a 2-0 win. Minor Semi - Kangaroo Point Rovers v Bethania Rams 2-1 to Bethania and 1-0 to Rovers were the fixture results, each team winning at home. KPR’s win was two weeks ago so will be fresh in their memory. Neither team set the goal scoring charts alight. KPR’s biggest return in a game was four goals but they scored in every match, while the Rams did have a nine goal match but also five scoreless matches. Ben Austen was KPR’s leading scorer on six with a number of other contributors. For Bethania, Rohholla Mohammadi has knocked in 10 with the rest shared around. KPR are on a nine game winning streak (although that includes an awarded match over Logan Metro). Bethania have lost three of their last four (against the current top three). Rovers should be too good at Raymond Park, 3-0.
