FOXTEL CUP - PRELIMINARY FINAL
Melbourne Knights v Heidelberg United
Sunday, September 14, 3pm @ Epping Soccer Stadium (Harvest Home Road, Epping MEL 182 C4)

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

CAN Heidelberg United continue its heroic giant killing run?

That is the question most Foxtel Cup followers have been asking themselves this week as the Warriors prepare to take on Melbourne Knights in the preliminary final.

The showdown on Sunday has all the hallmarks of an epic, with a huge crowd expected to flock to Epping Stadium to watch two of Victoria’s most powerful clubs butt heads for the right to meet Altona in the decider.

The Warriors surge to the penultimate match has been nothing short of spectacular, playing the type of football that not only wins finals, but championships.

Their 2-0 dismantling of minor premier, Green Gully, last week has been hailed by many as one of its greatest ever victories, giving them some serious momentum.

A week prior it shrugged off the attacking Richmond 2-1.

Veteran Mark Tsiorlas was an inspiration with a brace against the Cavaliers, and one gets the feeling he is not yet satisfied with this campaign.

They also have Graham Hockless in rare form, who spoke after last week’s victory on the renewed approach of the side leading into the finals.

In a direct warning to the Melbourne Knights, who finished a point off top spot at the end of the home-and-away rounds, he also hinted his side feared no-one.

”I don’t think it matters (who we play),” Hockless said.


”I think this season we’ve proved we perform better against the better sides in the competition.”

They’ll face their stiffest assignment yet this weekend up against the might of the Knights.

Although they went down to Altona on penalties last Sunday, they again displayed their championship credentials.

It was the second week on end the Knights were forced to play an extra 30 minutes of extra time, meaning they have played an hour extra of football over the last fortnight than Heidelberg United.

Melbourne Knights coach Chris Taylor was under no illusions so much football could have an effect on the group.

”Obviously going 120 minutes over the last two weeks takes its toll on the players,” Taylor said.

”We’ve just got to nurse this squad right through, we’ve got a lot of injuries like we’ve had for seven or eight weeks and we’ll just do the best we can.”

The winner will meet Altona Magic in the Foxtel Cup grand final at Bob Jane Stadium on Sunday, September 21.

ENTRY
$15 adults
$10 concession/pensioner
* Children under 14 free

** FFV will again be running its FREE BALL promotion for this weekend’s Foxtel Cup and WPL preliminary final double header!

The first 100 children under the age of 14 through the gate, accompanied by a paying adult, at Epping Stadium will receive a free ball!