The Ninja A-League Finals Series is upon us, and aleagues.com.au is your go-to source for all the essential details ahead of this weekend’s Elimination Finals.
Keep reading for an in-depth preview of each Elimination Final in the Ninja A-League.
Central Coast Mariners vs Canberra United
Sunday, April 27 – Industree Group Stadium – 2pm AEST
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
The Central Coast Mariners will enter their home Elimination Final brimming with confidence, having secured a victory over local rivals Newcastle Jets in the final round of the regular season to clinch fourth place.
With goals by Tiana Fuller and Jade Pennock, the Mariners rallied back to triumph 2-1, leaving McDonald Jones Stadium with all three points and the privilege of hosting Canberra United.
Currently boasting three wins from their last five outings, Emily Husband’s team has hit peak form at the opportune moment, ready to challenge one of the league’s in-form teams in the Finals Series.
MUST READ: Fixtures confirmed for Ninja A-League finals series: What you need to know
Antoni Jagarinec’s Canberra side concluded the regular season with an impressive 3-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers, finishing the competition with three consecutive wins, ensuring their spot in the Finals Series with a game to spare.
Central to sixth-placed Canberra’s prospects of advancing will be the experience of co-captain Michelle Heyman, who, despite netting only two goals in her Finals career, remains a significant threat in the attack.
Historically, the Mariners have had the upper hand recently, claiming three wins and a draw in their last four encounters since returning to the league.
VISIT THE NINJA A-LEAGUE FINALS HUB NOW
Adelaide United vs Western United
Sunday, April 27 – Coopers Stadium – 2pm AEST
MATCH CENTRE | BUY TICKETS | HOW TO WATCH
Adrian Stenta and his Adelaide United squad have experienced quite the transformation over the past year, rising from bottom of the table to finish in third place.
Finishing third with an impressive 14 wins this season, the Reds have been assured of their home elimination final for several weeks, a testament to their consistent performance throughout the season as they prepare for only their second finals match in the club’s history.
Entering this knockout clash against Western United, Adelaide gained momentum by defeating Sydney FC 2-1 in the season’s last round, with sharpshooter Fiona Worts netting her 11th goal of the season with a brace against her former side.
In March, despite confirming their finals berth well ahead of schedule, Western United found themselves frustrated after a 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix denied them the chance to secure a home elimination final, finishing in sixth place instead.
GOLDEN GIRL: Melbourne City superstar Holly McNamara claims Ninja A-League Golden Boot
TALKING POINTS: One topic the premiers ‘never brought up once’ during their invincible season
Kat Smith’s team heads to Coopers Stadium having secured only two victories in their last seven matches, which has left them with the weakest defensive record among the top six, a worrying trend as they prepare to face a lethal Adelaide outfit, featuring talents like Worts and Erin Healy.
Another concern for Western is that captain and key midfielder Chloe Berryhill (formerly Logarzo) was substituted at half-time in the draw with Wellington due to a possible hamstring injury.
However, a glance at the recent head-to-head record is likely to boost Western’s confidence, having won three and drawn one of their last five encounters with Adelaide.
VISIT THE NINJA A-LEAGUE FINALS HUB NOW
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.com.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
