A place in the first-ever Australian Championship Final is on the line on Saturday with the final four teams facing off in two exciting clashes.
The only remaining representatives from New South Wales and Queensland are in action in the earlier game, before the last two undefeated teams, both from Victoria, decide the other Final place.
Marconi Stallions v Moreton City Excelsior
Kick-off: 12:30 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Marconi Stadium
Saturday’s action kicks off with New South Wales' final representative Marconi Stallions hosting Queensland's Moreton City Excelsior.
The Stallions earned their place in the final four, prevailing on penalties against NSW rivals Wests APIA.
After a tense first half, Matej Busek opened the scoring off the bench, but a last-gasp equaliser from APIA’s 16-year-old sensation Oscar Gonzalez hauled the scores level.
Neither team could find a winner in extra time, leaving a nervy penalty shootout as the decider. Marconi goalkeeper James Hilton proved the difference, saving three penalties and scoring the winner.
Their Semi Final place comes off the back of a disappointing 5-0 defeat to Wollongong in the final round of the Group Stage.
While the Stallions will go into Saturday’s match with some renewed momentum, they will be without Franco Maya, who was sent off just before the penalty shootout.
The midfielder exhibits excellent ball-striking ability and his work rate is an important part of Marconi’s often resolute structure.
Moreton City Excelsior produced a special display as they stunned NPL Victoria Premiers Avondale in the Quarter-Finals.
The side held their opponents scoreless heading into the break, but soon after half-time, Avondale were reduced to 10 players, which gave City the initiative to race away.
Within the space of 15 minutes following the red card, Excelsior were three goals up courtesy of Keitatsu Kojima and a brace for Seita Murai.
A goal for Avondale on 80 minutes proved merely a consolation as Moreton City made their way into the Semi Finals.
Heading into the match, Avondale were one of only three teams with an unbeaten record in the Championship.
Both these teams have defied their critics so far in the Championship, and they can go one step further with a victory on Saturday to make the big dance.
South Melbourne v Heidelberg United
Kick-off: 3:30 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
The two remaining undefeated teams in the Championship go head-to-head in the late kick-off on Saturday to decide the other Final spot.
Heidelberg and South Melbourne have been involved in many tight battles in the Victorian competitions, where they have fought for the top places and silverware.
South Melbourne carried on their superb Group Stage form, securing a 2-0 win against NWS Spirit in the Quarter Finals.
Oli Lavale opened the scoring 34 minutes in, before Max Mikkola added a second in the 71st minute.
Other than their score draw with Moreton City in Round 6, Hellas have won every match in the tournament.
Mikkola had a starring role in the Quarter Final clash, picking up a goal and an assist to guide his team into the final four.
Heidelberg United also extended their unbeaten streak in the Championship, delivering an emphatic 6-1 win over MetroStars.
Despite falling behind within the first couple of minutes, Jay McGowan and Bul Juach turned the score line around before the 10-minute mark.
Marcus Humbert’s first goal of the afternoon put the Hahn Australia Cup Finalists 3-1 up at half-time.
Juach and Humbert both grabbed their braces by the hour mark and Anthony Lesiotis finished off the scoring with a goal late on.
MetroStars had themselves been on a flying run in the competition, putting aside a slow start to finish the Group Stage with four games unbeaten.
One of these teams will have to concede their unbeaten record so far in the competition, and with it bow out of the Championship, setting up a hard-to-call clash on Saturday.