National Premier Leagues: Capital Football
Saturday 6th September    
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Cooma Tigers v Canberra FC 
(McKellar Park, 3pm)

It’s the final showdown for both Cooma Tigers and Canberra FC as these two storied institutions meet at McKellar Park on Saturday afternoon playing for the right to take a shot at Belconnen United in next weekend’s Grand Final. For one of these clubs the final whistle will mark the end of their 2014 National Premier Leagues: Capital Football Season, whilst the other will get a ticket to the big day. That’s the reality facing the clubs in this Preliminary Final.

The League Champions, Cooma Tigers, was brought down to Earth with an almighty thud last week when the Blue Devils inflicted a 6-0 hammering on the recently crowned Tigers with a display of inspired attacking football that tore the Cooma defence apart. Cooma weren’t without chances however and if they can shore up the defensive line, that usually has been so reliant this term, then they will have a decent chance of getting a shot at revenge.

There is a school of thought that the Tigers are susceptible to pace at the back and Canberra FC has that particular asset in abundance. Strike Alex Oloriegbe is well supported by his two wide men in Josip Jadric and Daniel Bennett with Domenic Giampaolo dropping into the hole. How Cristobal Soza and Phil Yarnold cope with this movement will be interesting to note. The onus will also be on Dejan Santrac and Dom Colluciello in midfield to close down the FC passing lanes, something they have done effectively this term.

Going forward the Tigers are blessed with some outstanding talent. In the golden trio of Robbie Cattanach, Stephen Domenici and Goran Josifovski they have goals aplenty. The FC back-line, marshalled no doubt by the experience of Matt Grbesa and Aidan Brunskill, will need to be on their toes to deny the free-scoring Tigers trio the opportunities that they crave. 

The Tigers have the psychological advantage heading into the match, for what it’s worth, having defeated their opponents twice during the regular season. The 3-2 win at Deakin Stadium in July followed a 2-1 success at Nijong Oval in June. With both teams knowing that there are no more second chances following this clash we can expect both to give it their all. The Tigers are aiming for their first Grand Final since they beat Belconnen in 2012 whilst Canberra FC are looking to make up for last year’s loss. Sit back and enjoy what should be a goal-laden encounter!