AFTER flipping the script in the play-off, Vanuatu United FC were very sluggish and lacked enthusiasm in the first semi-final game against South Melbourne FC.
William Cardona and Owen Smith were not at their usual best and were easily beaten by the Melbourne defenders.
South Melbourne did brilliantly to closely guard the league’s top scorer, Alex Saniel and starved him off possession.
In the 17th minute, Yuki Uchida found some space and ran away with possession along the near sideline. Then after seeing Jordan Swibel was in the clear on the inside, Uchida passed it to Swibel to nudge in the first goal.
Then after scoring an own goal in the 31st minute, Vanuatu conceded another goal when Max Mikkola pounced on a loose ball to extend South Melbourne’s lead.
Goalkeeper Matthew Acton was able to make some saves for Vanuatu to hold South Melbourne at 3 – 0 at half-time.
Returning from the break, Thomas Giannakopoulos added another goal for South Melbourne.
Vanuatu had some little moments to shine in the second half but they did not capitalize on the opportunities. Saniel was helpless against South Melbourne’s close-quarter defensive strategy.
In the end, South Melbourne FC won the match 4–0.
In the second semi-final, Auckland FC and South Island United battled for a place in the Grand Final.
Both teams paced themselves and were hesitant to take unnecessary risks.
Emiliano Tade pressed towards South Islands goal but was not able to score any goals for Auckland in the first half.
Then in the 78th minute, the match came alive when Isa Prins scored a goal for Auckland.
Ryan Feutz and Lewis Partridge tried their best to get South Island on the board but did not find their mark.
In the end Auckland FC hung on to win the match 1–0.
Auckland FC will meet South Melbourne FC in the grand final on Sunday.
