A blockbuster rematch of the National Premier Leagues 2018 Finals Series Grand Final awaits as Lions FC host Campbelltown SC on Sunday afternoon.
It was NPL SA’s Campbelltown who took out the title last season after their 2-1 victory over NPL QLD’s Lions, and recent form suggests the South Australian side could yet inflict more pain on their rivals in this weekend’s Elimination Final at Lions Stadium (1:00PM AEST).
The season that was
Campbelltown crushed Adelaide Comets 3-0 in the NPL SA Grand Final last weekend on the back of a hat-trick from Marc Marino, ending the campaign with the Premiership and Championship double for the second consecutive season.
Campbelltown NPL SA domination will have Lions wary of their visiting opponents as the NPL QLD Premiers could not match Campbelltown’s performance in their own post-season cup.
In fact, the Lions did not even reach the NPL QLD Grand Final with the fourth-placed Brisbane Olympic defeating the Premiers 2-1 in a Semi Final which ended a great season for Lions FC on a sour note.
SCHEDULE: National Premier Leagues 2019 Finals Series fixtures confirmed
Past NPL Finals Series Ventures
Campbelltown won their first NPL Championship last season at the expense of Lions after a double from Anthony Ture in the first half set up a 2-1 victory in front of their home crowd.
Lions hit back early in the second half through Andrew Thompson but couldn’t find the equaliser, and will have the memories of their last clash with Campbelltown fresh in their minds when they host the Champions this Sunday afternoon.
Prior to 2018 Campbelltown previously made the Semi Finals of the competition in 2013.
Who wins and why
Campbelltown come into this game in red-hot form and are arguably the hot favourites to defeat Lions once again this weekend.
In their past three games – all against Adelaide Comets in the NPL SA Finals – Campbelltown have an aggregate score of 5-1, including two consecutive clean sheets in the second leg of the Semi Final and the Grand Final.
After a disappointing NPL QLD campaign and last season’s Grand Final loss to Campbelltown the hosts will be inspired to turn their fortunes around.
Every match in the NPL 2019 Finals Series will be streamed LIVE on www.nationalpremierleagues.com.au as well as via the official National Premier Leagues Facebook page (www.facebook.com/NationalPremierLeagues/).
National Premier Leagues 2019 Finals Series
MATCH |
National Premier Leagues 2019 Elimination Finals |
|
|
|
Venue |
Kick-Off (Local) |
1 |
Sunday 22 September 2019 |
Lions FC (QLD) |
vs |
Campbelltown City SC (SA) |
Lions Stadium, Richlands, QLD |
1:00 PM AEST |
2 |
Saturday 21 September 2019 |
Maitland FC (NSW) |
vs |
Devonport Strikers (TAS) |
Cooks Square Park, Maitland, NSW |
1:00 PM AEST |
3 |
Saturday 21 September 2019 |
Wollongong Wolves (NSW) |
vs |
Canberra Olympic (ACT) |
Albert Butler Park, Primbee, NSW |
3:00 PM AEST |
4 |
Sunday 22 September 2019 |
Heidelberg United FC (VIC) |
vs |
Perth SC (WA) |
JL Murphy Reserve, Port Melbourne, VIC |
4:30 PM AEST |
|
National Premier Leagues 2019 Semi Finals |
|
|
|
Venue |
Kick-Off (Local) |
5 |
28 or 29 September 2019 |
Winner of Match 1 |
vs |
Winner of Match 2 |
|
|
6 |
28 or 29 September 2019 |
Winner of Match 3 |
vs |
Winner of Match 4 |
|
|
|
National Premier Leagues 2019 Grand Final |
|
|
|
Venue |
Kick-Off (Local) |
Grand Final |
5 or 6 October 2019 |
Winner of Match 5 |
vs |
Winner of Match 6 |
|
|
*Please note this schedule is subject to change