The Ninja A-League Finals Series continues this weekend with the first legs of the 2024-25 Semi-Finals getting underway.
Ahead of both matches taking place, aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know as the four sides bid for supremacy heading into their respective second legs.
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Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne City
Saturday, May 3 – Industree Group Stadium – 2:15pm AEST
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Having overcome Canberra United in what was a rain-delayed Elimination Final on Monday night, the Mariners will now be looking to make home advantage count once again when they face two-time reigning premiers Melbourne City.
Securing safe passage through to the semis thanks to Jade Pennock’s brilliant double, Emily Husband’s side now take on an invincible City outfit that went unbeaten throughout the regular season.
Drawing 0-0 and 2-2 against City during the regular season, Central Coast are yet to beat the premiers since returning to the Ninja A-League last season (3D, 1L) however they’ve certainly troubled them defensively at times and they’ll need the likes of Pennock, Brooke Nunn and Annalise Rasmussen to continue to fire on Saturday afternoon.
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Having enjoyed the week off after wrapping up the Premiers Plate and sealing an invincible season, Michael Matricciani’s City will be fresh and roaring to go at Industree Group Stadium.
Defeating Perth Glory 5-1 on the final day of the season, City head to the Central Coast in fine form and with Golden Boot winner Holly McNamara in the starting line-up, they’ll be confident of finally dispatching the Mariners at the third time of asking this season.
Found memories of this time last season, the Premiership winners knocked off Newcastle Jets 6-0 on aggregate to reach the Ninja A-League Grand Final in season 2023-24 while the Mariners fell at the semi-final stage to Sydney FC 2-1 on aggregate.
Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Sunday, May 4 – Coopers Stadium – 4pm AEST
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In the first of two mouthwatering Original Rivalry clashes, Adelaide United welcome Melbourne Victory to Coopers Stadium in the first leg of their Semi-Final match-up.
After clinching their first ever finals win care of a Matilda McNamara header which saw them beat Western United 1-0, Adelaide now go in search of a first win in eight games against their rivals having not beaten them since February 2022.
Finishing third and eight points behind Victory on the ladder, Adrian Stenta’s side will most likely head into the contest as underdogs across the two legs but with a red-hot goalscoring attack that features the likes of Fiona Worts, Chelsie Dawber and Erin Healy they’ll certainly give Victory plenty to worry about.
LOCKED IN: All the key info you need ahead of this weekend’s semi-finals
As for Victory, Jeff Hopkins’ team may well have missed out on clinching the Premiers Plate but their recent form would suggest they are a very good chance of going all the way this season.
Despite finishing two points behind City at the end of the regular season, Victory finished their campaign winning a club-record eight games in a row and they’ll believe they can make it nine when they face the Reds on Sunday amid a 13-match unbeaten streak.
Further adding to their confidence levels is the fact they defeated Adelaide twice during the regular season as a double from Nickoletta Flannery saw them win the last meeting 2-1 while Matildas striker Emily Gielnik bagged a brace in Victory’s 3-2 win back in November.
