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The regular play is done and dusted, the qualifiers and semis person flashed by, and present it’s clip for the main course: the expansive last of NPL Victoria Men’s. On 14 September, astatine Lakeside Stadium successful Albert Park, Heidelberg United Alexandros will take connected Dandenong City successful a lucifer that promises intensity, passion, and top-shelf footy.
The two sides, who earned their spots with awesome showings successful the semis, will conflict it retired for the title successful a play packed with surprises. Alexandros, 2nd connected the ladder with 56 points, and Dandenong City, sixth with 37 points—who pulled disconnected the large daze by knocking retired ladder-leaders Avondale—are gearing up for a historical showdown.
Let’s start with Alexandros, the nine with a affluent past successful the Greek Australian community. Founded successful 1958, they’ve penned aureate chapters successful Australian footy ever since. From humble beginnings successful the Metropolitan Leagues of the ’50s, the nine climbed the ranks, claiming the NSL successful 1980—the forerunner to today’s leagues—while besides lifting the NPL title and the Dockerty Cup.
Brunswick City are 1 step distant from promotion to the NPL. Photo: Con DevesThe yellow-and-blacks showed existent quality this year, finishing 2nd down Avondale and locking successful a spot successful the caller nationalist league kicking disconnected successful October.
In the semi-final connected 6 September, they edged Preston Lions 2-1 successful a lucifer that started strongly for the visitors, but the hosts recovered their bushed and grabbed the win.
James Ngor opened the scoring successful the 40th infinitesimal with a beauteous idiosyncratic effort and a cracking strike, while Bul Juach slotted location a punishment successful first-half stoppage clip to marque it 2-0.
Who will beryllium crowned champions? The mighty Alexandros of manager Anastasiadis oregon the plucky Dandenong City of the enthusiastic Nick Tolios? Photo: Con DevesIn the 2nd half, the Lions pulled 1 backmost successful the 83rd, but Alexandros held steadfast with a choky defence. The players, coaching staff, and supporters celebrated wildly, with special notation for the Heidelberg faithful who backed them with existent gusto—in opposition to the distant fans who caused trouble with flares and racist chants.
Alexandros are present chasing the double, with the Australia Cup besides connected their minds.
On the different side, Dandenong City SC—known arsenic Hajduk owed to their Croatian roots. This year, led by manager Nick Tolios, they pulled disconnected the upset successful the semi-final connected 6 September, beating Avondale 0-1.
The expansive last promises to beryllium epic. Photo: Con DevesThe lucifer was afloat of drama: Avondale bossed possession (60 per cent – 40 per cent), had 12 shots and 8 corners, but City, with rock-solid defending, struck connected the counter. The extremity came successful the 72nd infinitesimal aft a country and a header from skipper Jack Webster, stunning the hosts.
The last promises to beryllium epic. Alexandros, with their acquisition and attacking firepower from players similar Bul Juach (the season’s top scorer), will look to dominate, while Dandenong City will trust connected their defence and counters. Statistically, Heidelberg person a 56 per cent accidental of victory according to analysis, but surprises are portion and parcel of footy. The two teams person met twice this year, with Alexander winning the first-round clash distant astatine City 0-2, while the second-round lucifer ended successful a 2-2 draw.
Who will beryllium crowned champions? The mighty Alexandros of manager Anastasiadis oregon the plucky Dandenong City of the enthusiastic Nick Tolios?
Alexandros are present chasing the double, with the Australia Cup besides connected their minds. Photo: Con DevesVPL1
Brunswick City are 1 step distant from promotion to the NPL. The Greek Australian broadside are looking to headdress disconnected an unthinkable play successful the champion imaginable way—with a summons to Victoria’s top tier.
Their task is thing but easy, though. Brunswick’s opponents successful the large match, scheduled for Sunday 14 September astatine 3pm, will beryllium Melbourne City.
The Brunswick-based broadside finished 5th successful the regular season, while their opponents came third.
The past clip the two teams met, Brunswick came retired connected top with a 2-0 win.
The lucifer will take spot astatine Lakeside Stadium, location of Hellas. Don’t miss the large game!
Schedule
Sunday 14 September
Lakeside Stadium
Melbourne City – Brunswick City 3pm
Heidelberg United – Dandenong City 6pm
Greek (GR) · 
English (US) ·