Match Details
Bundoora United vs Heidelberg United
8:00pm, Friday 27 September
State Football Centre (DISC) – Pitch 3
The Big Picture
Bundoora and Heidelberg find themselves in the elimination final by finishing 4th and 5th in the league respectively. Bundoora would have been disappointed not to finish higher but they still have plenty of class, which they’ve shown throughout the season. Nobody would’ve picked Heidelberg to go on the run they did to clinch 5th spot after round 8, but the fact is they’ve made it and have played some great counter-attacking football along the way.
These sides met in the first week of finals last year, with Bundoora taking out the match 4-1, and eventually making their way to the Grand Final where they lost to Box Hill. Heidelberg haven’t had much luck this season against Bundoora, losing 3-0 at Hillsview and 2-0 at home.
Form Guide (Last 6 games)
Bundoora – WDDWLW
Heidelberg United – LDWWWW
Bundoora United
Bundoora come into the game as the favourites, and there is plenty of reason as to why. With the likes of Enza Barilla, Gulcan Koca, Caitlin Friend in their squad, they have the technical ability to out-pass most sides. Steph Galea, who has been converted to a central midfielder has been solid, adding more weaponry to the Bundoora midfield.
Their possession style is mixed with some clever overlaps from fullbacks to overload opposition defences. Tyla-Jay Vlajnic and Claudia Fruscalzo can be very effective on their respective flanks and work well with the tireless Sarah Richardson and Julia Sardo on the wings for Bundoora.
Their recent record against Heidelberg will no doubt give them confidence going into this game. The two clashes so far this season have been rather gritty affairs, with Bundoora managing to score the vital goals.
They have also suffered their fair share of last minute disappointments, conceding late on to South Melbourne when 2-1 up against a then unbeaten side, and losing 3-2 to Sandringham after another late goal. Should they find themselves in a similar situation tonight, they have to learn from those matches and finish strongly.
Heidelberg United
Having beaten Casey to 5th spot, Heidelberg coach John Kyrgios is raring to get the finals underway, and especially keen to front up against Bundoora. His side are a young, counter-attacking unit with weapons of their own. Erin Brennan and Leigh Gray have been key to turning the fortunes around, but the contributions of Belinda Panella, who smartly drifts between the lines, and cuts in from the left flank, and Julia Nicolaci, the understated playmaker who has a penchant for the spectacular have also been vital. They should also have Michelle Verzi for the clash, having played over half an hour against Bulleen and gradually regained confidence in that time.
Right back Tahlia Tisocco has also been impressive in recent weeks, filling in at fullback in recent weeks, her marauding runs forward have caused defences many issues. She and another in-form fullback Angie Rassias will have to be on top of their game if they are to counter the double wing threats of Bundoora.
Heidelberg’s shortcomings may stem from being over-pressured in midfield, a problem they found against Bundoora this season when they found themselves losing possession in key midfield areas. Should they find effective ways to launch their counter-attacks, they stand a chance of upsetting the favourites.
Interesting Match-ups
Amelia Van der Niet vs Alice Ryan
The Bundoora keeper hasn’t had the best of starts to her time at the club. The fact she flies over from Tasmania specifically for matchdays may have something to do with that, but a virtuoso performance tonight may erase all doubts about her ability to play at this level.
Alice Ryan has had an interesting season to say the least, and has battled through the pain of broken fingers to put on the no.1 jersey for Heidelberg. A solid keeper, she has the ability to produce some outstanding displays if she’s switch on.
Ebru Hasan/Melissa Missailidis vs Renee Zairis/Penny Bakopoulos
The Bundoora centre back pairing could be one of their weak points. It was Ebru Hasan’s rash challenge of Eliadis that cost them the three points against South Melbourne as they converted the late penalty, while Missailidis is a quiet operator who rarely stamps her authority on games.
Penny Bakopoulous has had to move into the backline this season because of the injuries sustained to the squad, but has grown in the role each week. Capable of a spectacular goal, as evidenced by her volley in the home clash against Preston, her timing of the tackle has improved as has her general reading of the play. Partner in crime Renee Zairis has also been a steady performer, and the two will have to be at their best again to repel a strong Bundoora attacking force.
Key Players
Bundoora United
Key to so many of Bundoora’s attacking forays, Enza Barilla is a smart attacking midfielder with an eye for goal. Should she be on song, Heidelberg will find it very difficult to stop the Melbourne Victory player. Another one to watch is fellow Victory teammate Caitlin Friend. Her knee injury earlier on in the season threatened to derail her season, but since returning to the action she has been in deadly form, scoring plenty of goals including one in the clash against Heidelberg at Olympic Village. If Bundoora can get these two in effective areas, this final should be theirs to take.
Heidelberg United
It is hard to look past the American duo of Erin Brennan and Leigh Gray, simply because they have been so vital to Heidelberg qualifying for finals. They are the final pieces of the puzzle and when they get going, the Bergers look a constant threat. Brennan has been trialled in a myriad of positions recently, from centre back to a more advanced midfielder, but whatever position she plays you can be sure she will give you a solid performance. Leigh Gray scored another impressive hat-trick against Bulleen, but it’s more than the goals that she brings to Heidelberg, but how she links the midfield to the attacking phase of their play. An intelligent player, she links well with Panella and Kallianis and against Bulleen, they did so to deadly effect. Should these two continue their form, Heidelberg have every chance of sneaking a result.