Olympic Underdogs Against Southern Clubs
No matter which team wins this Sunday’s National Premier Leagues Final Series Elimination Final between Sydney United 58 FC and Canberra FC, Queensland’s own Olympic FC have every right to consider themselves underdogs.
While as a club Olympic are on an upward trajectory, winning their first state title in this year’s NPL Queensland competition, their prospective semi-final opponents both boast rich histories of success and player development.
(View the promotional video below, article continues underneath.)
As the name suggests, Sydney United 58 were founded in in 1958 as part of Sydney Croatia Sports Club in Sydney’s southern suburbs and boast a long history of developing some of Australia’s most outstanding football talent.
The club rose through the ranks to the heights of the National Soccer League in 1984, where they became one of the competition’s most consistent clubs, remaining in the national league until its demise in 2004.
However, despite three league premierships in the NSL, the club never prevailed in the NSL Grand Final – famously falling to Brisbane Strikers in the 1997 decider at the then-named Lang Park.
Following the formation of the A-League in 2005, United returned to the New South Wales league structure where they remained a force known for their stylish football and strong focus on youth development.
Amongst the famous players developed by the club are Tim Cahill, Mark Bosnich, Atti Abonyi, Jim Patikas, Graham Arnold, Zeljko Kalac, Jason Culina, Robbie Slater, Tony Popovic and Ante Milicic.
United took out the NPL NSW Premiership on the final day of the regular season, defeating Blacktown Spartans 3-1, with former Perth Glory and Sydney FC striker Luka Glavas scoring a brace to overtake Socceroo legend Graham Arnold as the club’s leading goal scorer.
United are coached by former A-League player and football media personality Mark Rudan.
Further south, Canberra FC have been a dominant force in Capital Football competitions in recent times, winning 11 titles since returning to the local competition after a successful stint in the NSW Premier League from 1988 to 1994.
In June this year, the club shocked the touring Malaysian national team with a 3-2 win at their Deakin Stadium home ground. The result displaying the often underestimated qualities of the Capital Football competitions.
Like their elimination final opponents United, Canberra FC are of Croatian heritage and were also founded in 1958.
The club has been home to a number of high profile footballers past and present over the years, including Ned Zelic, Ante Juric, Josip Simunic, Brad Maloney and current Brisbane Roar speedster Kofi Danning.
The club has changed its name several times, going under the moniker HOPE, Croatia Deakin, Canberra Deakin and Canberra Metro.
This year, the club were runaway winners of the NPL Capital Football Premiership, finishing seven points ahead of long-time rivals Belconnen United, before backing that performance up with a win in the Grand Final.
Canberra FC scored 86 goals in only 23 regular season games, with Phillippe Bernabo and Alex Oloeigbe sharing the top-goalscoring spoils with 20 strikes apiece.
Proving their potency in the final third, Canberra FC capped off the regular season with an emphatic 9-0 win over former NSL club Monaro Panthers.
The two teams battle for the right to play against Olympic this Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre, the match kicking off at the same time as Olympic’s friendly with Brisbane Roar at Goodwin Park.
Score updates from the elimination final will be relayed to those at Goodwin Park via the public address system, while those who aren’t at the ground can follow all the action from the elimination final via FFA’s Live Match Centre at www.footballaustralia.com.au/nationalpremierleagues
MATCH DETAILS:
NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUES FINALS SERIES – ELIMINATION FINAL
Sydney United 58 FC v Canberra FC
Sunday, 29th September 2013 – Sydney United Sports Centre
Kick-off: 3:00pm
NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUES FINALS SERIES – SEMI FINAL
Olympic FC v Sydney United 58 FC/Canberra FC
Saturday, 5th October, 2013 – QSAC
Kick-off: 5:00pm
Words and Image: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)
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