Victorian Champions League Open Women's Semi Final, Southern Blue Tongues versus Rivers FC.
The Gippsland Knights will play Central City in the Victorian Champions League Open Women’s final.
Gippsland won a close match against Eastern FC at DISC today to book their place in the Grand Final, whilst top-of-the-table Central City defeated the Southern Blue Tongues in the second semi final.
Earlier in the day, the Blue Tongues defeated Rivers FC 3-0 in the Elimination Final.
Nikki Dempster was solid in defence for the Blue Tongues, while Lucy Kapusta, Alyssa Cole and Olivia Gregory all created opportunities up forward.
For Rivers, Laura Antonello worked hard all day; however she had few options up forward.
It wasn’t until the second half when the Blue Tongues started to capitalise on their opportunities. Gregory’s shot on goal was deflected out but Lucy Kapusta pounced in close and struck it at the keeper who got hands on it, but was unable to stop it from going in.
Soon after, Gregory again crossed it passed the keeper; the ball then hit the post and bounced out to Alina Kapusta who put it away for the Blue Tongues’ second goal.
Southern’s final goal was again scored by Alina Kapusta who received the ball just outside the box, dribbled it expertly past two defenders then slotted it past the keeper who had no chance of stopping it.
Despite the three-goals, Rivers tried gallantly all day without any luck up forward.
In the first semi final between the Gippsland Knights and Eastern FC, Gippsland came from behind to win 3-2.
The wind played a major part in the game, and in the first half, Eastern scored two goals to one with the wind advantage.
In the second half, former Melbourne Victory player, Stephanie Tanti, got Gippsland off to a perfect start, using the wind and chipping the ball over the keeper to equalise in the 52nd minute.
Soon after, Gippsland again scored, taking the lead 3-2, after chipping the goalkeeper again.
Eastern battled away for the rest of the match, creating numerous opportunities to equalise, however time was against them and the match finished with Gippsland Knights winning 3-2.
Central City came up against the Southern Blue Tongues in the final match of the day to decide who would play Gippsland in the Grand Final.
The Blue Tongues started the match having already played 90 minutes of football earlier in the day, but you couldn’t tell, as they matched it with Central City for the first half.
Scores were nil-all at half time, but it was the skilful Central City who came out the more determined side after the break.
Priscilla Ribas put Central City on the board in the 54th minute of the match.
Ten minutes later Esther La Greca got the first of her two goals for the match, after the ball rebounded out from the keeper.
La Greca followed up with her second goal in the 78th minute with a skilful cross past the keepers outstretched hands.
Central City was well in control with a 3-0 lead.
Southern hadn’t given up though and with little room to move, Eliza Gleadell struck the ball with pin point accuracy past the keeper to make the scores 3-1.
In the final moments of the game, Central’s Emma Johnson scored from a corner kick to hand Central City a resounding 4-1 win.
Open Women’s Grand Final
Central City versus Gippsland Knights
Sunday 20 December, 11am
Harvest Home Reserve, Epping
Last updated: Saturday December 19, 2009 6:21PM
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