Round 22 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s

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It’s the final round of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season and the Premiership battle has gone down to the wire.

League leaders APIA Leichhardt Tigers are in pole position going into Round 22 with a two-point advantage at the top of the table. A win or even a draw against Rockdale City Suns will be enough to complete an incredible title win.

Two losses from their past three games has stunned Blacktown City whose Premiership hopes now rely on victory against Sydney United 58 as well as a Rockdale win against APIA.

It sets up a dramatic final round which will surely have fans of all teams on the edge of their seats.

The final Match of the Round will be APIA’s match against Rockdale City Suns with Danial Cummins side on the cusp of taking out the league title.

Apart from the Premiership up for grabs, the race for the Golden Boot is also on the line as the likes of Sutherland Sharks’ Tomohiro Kajiyama, Sydney United 58’s Panny Nikas, Rockdale City Suns’ Jordan Figon, Blacktown City FC’s James Andrew and Joey Gibbs as well as Wollongong Wolves’ Yuzo Tashiro are all in contention in what will be a frantic last day for these strikers.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC v Rockdale City Suns FC, 3pm Sunday at Lambert Park

It all comes down to this one game for APIA Leichhardt Tigers as they host Rockdale City Suns,

A draw is enough for APIA to claim the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership but Rockdale will be looking to land an early salvo before a likely finals clash by ruining the Lambert Park party.

APIA has performed well in big games this season and coach Danial Cummins will be banking on another star showing from his players in arguably their biggest game of the season.

For Rockdale this match proves a tantalising chance to end their rival’s premiership dreams.

Paul Reid will have his players up for this match and with so much on the line for their opponents they will need to be at their best to keep in the match.

The equation is simple for APIA, but anything can happen in football.

Hakoah Sydney City East FC v Manly United FC, 3pm Sunday at Hensley Athletic Field

Hakoah Sydney City East FC will be hoping for a confidence building win ahead of a crunch FFA cup Round of 16 clash when they play Manly United in the final round of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season.

Waratah Cup winners Hakoah’s incredible form in Cup competitions has been incredible this season, but the Hensley Park based side has struggled to find the same performances in the League and they will finish the season outside the final’s qualification spots.

They will have a big challenge in Round 22 against a Manly side hitting their straps ahead of the playoffs.

The Northern Beaches side claimed an incredible come from behind victory against Sydney United 58 FC last week and will be full of confidence.

If Hakoah bring their best they will be able to frustrate the Manly attack, but if not don’t be surprised if Manly run up a big score.

While finals football is out of the question for Hakoah, they will be determined to end their season on a high.

Parramatta FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC, 3pm Sunday at Melita Stadium

Parramatta FC’s nightmare season is almost over with a visit from Bonnyrigg White Eagles  on Sunday the final chapter.

Marshall Soper’s side ended their 14 match losing streak last round with a 0-0 draw against Sutherland Sharks and will want to finish their season on a high note.

It is a similar story for Bonnyrigg who have suffered a difficult season after major injuries plagued their squad.

While this clash has no implications on the top five, both teams will be giving everything they can to take three points from the final match of the season.

Sutherland Sharks FC v Sydney Olympic FC, 3pm Sunday at Seymour Shaw

Sutherland Sharks FC take on Sydney Olympic on Sunday and could hold the key to the final makeup of the top five.

While Sutherland are out of finals contention themselves, A big win against Olympic could open the door for Wollongong Wolves to make an unlikely top five finish.

The Sharks were held to a dour scoreless draw against Parramatta FC last week and will be determined to give a much improved performance in their final match of the season.

The Shire side will bid farewell to one of their longest serving players in goalkeeper Nathan Denham who has decided to retire after playing over 200 games for the Sharks, a remarkable achievement!

Sydney Olympic know their finals fate relies on coming away with at least a draw from this match and they will be doing everything they can to collect the points.

Olympic were much improved last round and will be hard to beat. However, Sutherland will have the home crowd behind them so don’t be surprised if they pull off an upset.

Sydney United 58 FC v Blacktown City FC, 3pm Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United 58 have the chance at ending Blacktown City’s Premiership hopes when the two sides go head to head at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.

Seemingly with one hand on the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership all season, Blacktown City’s title hopes were thrown into disarray last week after a 1-0 loss to APIA Leichhardt Tigers.

Mark Crittenden’s side now rely on APIA losing their final clash of the season, but just as importantly will need to claim victory on the road against their rivals United 58.

Sydney United 58 come into the match off the back of a midweek FFA Cup Round of 32 clash and without Mark Rudan who stepped down as coach last weekend.

Nevertheless, last season’s Premiers will be out to get a bit of revenge for their defeat to Blacktown in last season’s grand final.

With so much on the line expect a high tempo game with neither side willing to give an inch.

Wollongong Wolves FC v Sydney FC, 3pm Sunday at WIN Stadium

Wollongong Wolves will be hoping for a miraculous finals berth when they take on Sydney FC at WIN Stadium on Sunday.

Defeat last round to Rockdale means Jacob Timpano’s side sit three points behind fifth placed Olympic with nothing less than a win enough to keep their very slim hopes alive. Wolves are also nine points behind Olympic on goal difference which means they will be throwing everything forward against the Young Sky Blues.

Sydney FC has had a respectable first PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s campaign and they will want to finish their season with a win.

Wollongong is a tough place to play so they will be in for one hell of a match to close out the season.