Article: Matt Nicoletti & Jeremy Magan
Photo: Anthony Caffery Photography

Belconnen United coach Ahmed Ugool and captain Michaela Thornton are both as focused as it gets when it comes to the Grand Final. No matter what happened this season, keeping their title is paramount.

“We were disappointed in ourselves after the defeats in the regular season,” Ugool said. “We are in the Grand Final now, we have a chance to redeem ourselves and we look forward to taking it.”

The coach, in his first season, took over after a few experienced players had departed, forcing him to compose with young players with less NPLW mileage on them, let alone Grand Final exposure.

“We have players with a lot of Grand Final experience and young players that are hungry to play in a Grand Final," Ugool said. “We want to look at ourselves and concentrate on what we can do.”

“We are making sure players with less finals experience know the key to winning these games is simple,” Thornton added. “Give your 100 percent for the whole 90+ minutes!”

The former Canberra United W-League player knows the kind of pressure that comes with big games too. “We told the team not to let their nerves get the better of them. If anything, it will be easier for some players not to have the crowd in the stands this weekend!”

The Deakin side has had a perfect season and beat Belconnen 1-0 in week seven. Thornton and her team are fully aware of how dangerous their opponents can be.

“We know Palombi, Gill, can score from everywhere,” she said. “It is about preventing them from shooting!”

Despite two losses in the regular season, a rarity for Belconnen, they are far from a team without ambition or talent. The Semi-Final against Gungahlin was a show of strength by the reigning champions.

“We don’t want to concede early, but if we do, it is positive to know that we can react appropriately," Ugool said. "Scoring four goals was the biggest thing for us, given we struggled to find the back of the net in the last few weeks.”

“Our reaction to conceding was very positive,” his captain continued. "From the moment we equalized, we controlled the game.”

For the first time since 2015, Belconnen will come in as the underdog against Canberra Croatia, a tag the side is willing to embrace

“To be honest, it’s probably good we are not favourites this season,” Thornton said. “It gives our squad that extra motivation.”