Eastern Bays Courier

A lot at stake for Ellerslie FC in knockout semifinal

- TORIKA TOKALAU-CHANDRA

Ellerslie FC will put it all on the line when they take on rivals Onehunga in the Auckland Women’s Knockout Cup semifinal on September 4.

For the most obvious, winning would put them into the final but coach Jason Oliver knows, given the two sides’ past match ups, qualifying will not be easy.

‘‘Onehunga are underrated they finished seventh on the table and 10 points behind us, but they still scored 40-plus goals.

‘‘Our results against them this year were a 3-1 loss at home and a 4-1 win away in the second round.

‘‘So they’re definitely a team that will keep us on our toes and rise to the occasion,’’ Oliver says.

‘‘One of our newest players, and our youngest in the squad, is the daughter of the opposition coach, so we know it will be a high intensity match with a lot on the line.’’

The plan now is getting the team in the right head space because they know they can do well after hanging on in the competitio­n this long.

‘‘Onehunga are a team we have a rivalry with.

‘‘It’s a matter of not focusing on anything that’s happened previously, and instead making sure we play our game.’’

Meanwhile, Ellerslie FC ended their AFF/NFF Women’s Conference outing on a high note on August 21, thrashing West Auckland 3-0 at home.

 ?? PHOTO: PHOTOTEK ?? West Auckland’s Esther Bushell gets a foot to the ball against Ellerslie in the Women’s Conference League.
PHOTO: PHOTOTEK West Auckland’s Esther Bushell gets a foot to the ball against Ellerslie in the Women’s Conference League.

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