Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Football NSW/George Loupis

Brisbane Strikers are out of the PlayStation 4 NPL Finals Series after succumbing 2-1 to Sydney United 58 at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.

Star attacker Panny Nikas scored a second-half brace for United – including a stunning 25-yard match-winner - to end the Queensland Premiers' season at the Semi-Final stage of the national knock-out series.

Earlier, Strikers had taken a single goal lead into half-time courtesy of a Trent Clulow header, however, were reeled in by Nikas’ first shortly after the restart before the former North Queensland Fury player secured the win with 20 minutes remaining.

The result sees Strikers become the fourth Queensland club in as many seasons to exit the national stage of the competition at the Semi-Final stage.

United will now meet Northern New South Wales club Edgeworth FC in the Grand Final next weekend, with the winner securing automatic entry to the Westfield FFA Cup 2017 Round of 32.

If United win, they will become the first club to win multiple PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Champions titles after claiming the inaugural prize in 2013.

Key Moments

12’ – CHANCE FOR UNITED – The hosts threaten with a sharp counter-attack that sees Glen Trifiro take a shot from the edge of the penalty area that is wide of the far post

16’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Luke Marsh is released on the counter-attack before teeing up a surging Jake McLean, but his strike curls wide of the target

31’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Another counter for the Strikers sees Shaun Carlos touch inside the defender before pulling the trigger but it’s easily collected by United goalkeeper Thomas Manos

35’ – CHANCE FOR UNITED – Panny Nikas runs onto a through-ball and attempts to chip Striker goalkeeper Michael Weier with the first-time strike but it’s over the crossbar

36’ – GOAL FOR STRIKERS – Hiroki Omori advances down the left and delivers a pin-point cross for Trent Clulow to head home the opener from 8 yards out

38’ – CHANCE FOR UNITED – Nikas lines up a strike from the outside of the area but it’s directed straight at Weier

39’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Fraser Hills picks up a loose ball and assesses the options before chancing his arm from 20 yards but it curls wide of the post

41’ – CHANCE FOR UNITED – Nicholas Stavroulakis pops on to a loose ball in the box and it fizzes across the face of goal ahead of the outstretched leg of Chris Payne

49’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – McLean whips in a free-kick to the far post where Greig Henslee is lurking but he can’t control the ball on the bounce and the chance goes begging

51’ – GOAL FOR UNITED – Yutaro Shin surges down the right and Sam Knight gets a foot to a dangerous cross but it only goes as far as Panny Nikas, who calmly slots the finish to level terms

57’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – McLean bustles his way along the byline and into the penalty area before teeing up Clulow, but his first-time strike is blocked by Manos

62’ – CHANCE FOR UNITED - Nikas gets a sight on goal from outside the area and his thundering drive forces a full-stretched save from Weier

63’ – CHANCE FOR UNITED – Yutaro Shin turns sharply on a pass to get behind his defender but under heavy defensive pressure skies his strike

64’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Strikers return fire on the counter attack with the ball worked to Carlos in space and with time but he sizzles the shot just over the crossbar

71’ – GOAL FOR UNITED – Nikas takes a touch 25 yards out before delivering a screamer into the top corner to put the hosts ahead for the first time.

88’ – CHANCE FOR STRIKERS – Carlos intercepts in the attacking third and steps sharply to fashion space but his strike is held on the bounce by Manos

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series – Semi Final

Sunday, September 25
Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney

Sydney United 58 FC – 2 (Panny NIKAS 51' 71')
Brisbane Strikers FC – 1 (Trent CLULOW 36')

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2cSjMuA