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Read the Northcote City preview here.
Season summary:
Bentleigh started the season with a bang after a shock opening round win over reining Premiers Green Gully. Dismissed by some as simply a fluke, Bentleigh have continued that form for much of the season, not once dropping out of the top five while playing some quality football under John Anastasiadis.
Despite not having the consistency that they would have strived for and missing out on a top three spot due to a loss in the final match of the season, the Greens still achieved their highest league finish for ten years with fourth place.
Finals path:
Bentleigh will take on a difficult Northcote City side in a bid to play the loser of Oakleigh Cannons v Green Gully Cavaliers. A failure to win will be the end of the road as a loss in this match will see Bentleigh become the first team knocked-out in the 2012 VPL Finals.
Player to look out for:
Ryan De Vries. Widely touted as the most exciting player in the VPL (with calls for him to step up to the Hyundai A-League already), the South African has the ability to change a game with his attacking flair.
Playing on either wing or occasionally up front, De Vries is Bentleigh’s most dangerous attacker and with the team relying heavily on him for their offensive threat, he is key. At 22 years of age De Vries has his best years ahead of him, he just has to stop hitting the post!
Why they will beat Northcote City:
Two things have worked in Bentleigh’s favour this season; good football and consistent performances. With Anastasiadis at the helm, Bentleigh have been working hard to claim the tag of the ‘best footballing’ team in the VPL.
Naturally everyone has a different interpretation of what good football is, but with Bentleigh’s passing style coming in leaps and bounds this year and with results to match, they have won over a number of fans.
The Greens have also been blessed with consistent performances year round, and even if a result didn’t go their way they would bounce back with the same endeavour and style the following match; often reversing the result.
Why they won't beat Northcote City:
Apart from the fact consistency doesn’t win finals, history is not on Bentleigh’s side.
Having played Northcote six times in the history of the Victorian Premier League, the Green’s have come away with the unenviable record of zero wins, three draws and three losses.
Whatever it is about Northcote City, Bentleigh have never been able to figure them out with this season being no exception; a 3-2 loss and a 1-1 draw doing nothing to improve their record.
DETAILS:
Who: Bentleigh Greens v Northcote City
Where: Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
When: Friday 21 September, 7:30pm
Team previews for the Qualifying Final: Oakleigh Cannons v Green Gully Cavaliers.