MAJOR SEMI-FINAL
Melbourne Knights v Altona
Sunday, September 7, 3pm @ Knights Stadium (Lot 2, Somers St, Sunshine North MEL 27 A6)

*PLEASE NOTE: Spectators are reminded to arrive at the venue well before kick-off to avoid delays into the ground.

MELBOURNE Knights and Altona have earned two shots at the 2008 Foxtel Cup grand final, the first coming against each-other in the major semi-final at Knights Stadium on Sunday.

The Knights held their nerve against minor premier Green Gully in the qualifying final last week, winning 6-5 in a gripping penalty shootout to earn the chance to book a direct route to the decider.

The winner of Sunday’s match will be the first side through, but the loser will still get the benefit of another chance in the preliminary final.

Both sides will take heart from handling the pressure-cooker that is finals football last week.

The Knights had a plethora of opportunities to put away the Cavaliers in regular time, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

The cross-bar denied them twice in the second half, and one thing coach Chris Taylor would have touched on during the week was making the most of opportunities.

He would have been pleased with the performance of several of his players last week, especially keeper Savas Ozdemir.

Ozdemir did not start in goals but was summoned off the interchange just before the end of regular time against the Gully.

He would prove to be the difference with two match-winning saves during a tense penalty shoot-out.


He is likely to be given the nod first up on Sunday at Knights Stadium.

Altona Magic has the arsenal to worry the Knights up front, with Henry Fa’Arodo and Michael Curcija two who could pose problems.

They snapped out of a first half slumber against the Lions to record a 2-1 triumph in front of a home-crowd at Paisley Park to advance to the better side of the draw.