Clulow Primed For Rivalry Rematch
Words: Steve Pitman & Michael Flynn
Image: Michelle Pitman
Like his club’s ardent fans, Brisbane Strikers winger Trent Clulow is salivating at the prospect of renewing his club’s rivalry against Sydney United 58 this weekend.
On Sunday, United joined Strikers as one of four clubs remaining in the PlayStation 4 NPL Finals Series after downing Adelaide City in an epic 5-4 thriller.
That result secured the Sydney club home advantage for the high-stakes Semi-Final against Strikers under the competition’s points system to determine hosting rights.
Strikers now must see-off the PlayStation 4 NPL New South Wales Premiers to become the first Queensland club to reach the competition’s Final – and Clulow is adamant it will be no easy task.
“They are a great club with a rich history, the same as Strikers,” Clulow explained.
“They were undisputed champions (this year) of their league, similar to us and it’s another opportunity for us to go and test ourselves.”
“No doubt, aside from the Melbourne City game, it’ll be one of the toughest games we’ve played all year.”
The match will revive memories of the side’s 1997 NSL Grand Final clash at Suncorp Stadium that saw Strikers famously triumph 2-0 under the helm of Socceroos legend Frank Farina.
Clulow said that game had proven motivational for him as a junior, despite not being part of the Strikers record home crowd attendance of approximately 40,000.
“I had been to Lang Park and watched a few Strikers games throughout the year and I remember being bummed that I missed it.”
One match Clulow didn’t miss was Sunday’s live stream of the United and City clash and he sought to get an early insight into this weekend’s opponents.
He said while handling United will be a challenge, there was also plenty of areas for optimism based on their showing in the Elimination Final.
“In the first half Sydney United well and truly destroyed Adelaide City from a possession perspective, but it ended up being extremely tight,” Clulow observed.
“Adelaide almost scored as many goals as the amount of shots that they had - so if we create chances we can definitely score.”
United previously foiled Strikers’ cross-town rivals Olympic FC at the Semi Final stage of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series in 2013.
The winner of the United-Strikers clash will face the winner of the other Semi-Final between Perth SC and Edgeworth FC in the competition’s Final the following weekend.
PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series – Semi Final
Sydney United 58 FC v Brisbane Strikers FC
Sunday, September 25 | 2:30PM
Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney
Watch via LIVE STREAM at www.nationalpremierleagues.com.au or via the YouTube app on your PlayStation 4
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