Article: Jeremy Magan 
Photo: Anthony Caffery Photography

Belconnen United vs Gungahlin United | Sunday, 20th September – 2pm @ Deakin Stadium
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Belconnen United and Gungahlin United come face-to-face in the NPLW Semi Finals, both sides desperate to book a spot in the Grand Final next Saturday afternoon. The Gunners and the Blue Devils both come into the match after suffering their second defeat of the season last weekend, to Canberra Croatia and the Academy respectively. These sides drew when they faced each other on a rainy Sunday in Hawker, a result Belconnen had to wait for the 88th minute to secure.

Gungahlin has been one of the most solidly consistent teams this season, with Diego Iglesias' team getting three clean sheets and only conceding eight goals. Offensively, although their style of football has rightfully been praised and caused problems against every team they faced, they have not been the most lethal team, often winning games by small margins. Albeit in different circumstances, Gungahlin made the top-four last year before they were bundled out in the Semi Finals by Canberra United Academy so the side will be looking to avoid a similar result. 

Belconnen comes into the semis with the ambition to keep their crown. The experience of Ahmed Ugool's players in cutthroat games will be key on Sunday: their last postseason defeat was the 2017 NPLW Grand Final. The best attack of the league, with 36 goals, has played in every Grand Final since 2011 and they are intent on keeping that streak alive. Captain Michaela Thornton said the season has been character building for her young teammates, who may have had the impression that "Belconnen just win games". They cannot afford to have that mentality on Sunday afternoon against a Gunners side looking for an upset. 

Canberra Croatia vs Canberra Olympic | Sunday, 20th September – 4:30pm @ Deakin Stadium
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In a repeat of the 2018 NPLW Semi Final, Canberra Croatia will face Canberra Olympic for a spot in the 2020 NPLW Grand Final. On that day two years ago, Canberra Croatia triumphed 2-0, thanks to goals from Sophia Evans and Grace Gill. 

Canberra Croatia has not dropped a point in 2020 and will come in as favourites against Canberra Olympic after their 5-3 win in their match-up early this season. Nik Brozinic's side has the quality, experience and ambition this season to go all the way. They have made it to the last five Grand Finals and will hope to get to the biggest stage once more. With Grace Gill, Brittany Palombi, Grace Field and Sharon Chao, the firepower of the Deakin side seem unstoppable.

They will have to go through Canberra Olympic, a side that has improved week in week out in 2020. Olympic is the fairy tale story of the season, as the 2019 wooden spooners turned into title contenders. Olympic has shown their offensive capabilities all season, before proving against Belconnen a couple of weeks ago that they were also one of the strongest defensive team of our league. Andrew Woodman has built a squad that can now rival the best teams. Nicole Begg, NPLW joint top scorer this season, is the main danger in this team. The former Canberra United captain's experience and leadership has helped her team rise to every occasion, they face their biggest challenge yet on Sunday.