Tara Murray
Calder United’s dream of a sixth straight Nike F.C Cup title in a row are alive, with the side through to the grand final.
Having last lost in the knockout competition in 2016, Calder had to get past South Melbourne on Wednesday night in the semi finals.
It was a slow start for Calder, but as the game went on, Calder only got better. Two second half goals sent Calder into the decider with a 2-0 win.
Coach Nathan Maiorana said it was pretty exciting for the group.
“It’s really exciting for the club,” he said. “We did it with a lot of new players, a new team.
“It’s a different experience for the group and we’re happy they get to experience that, but we haven’t done anything yet.
“We still have to win it.
Maiorana said it took a while for them to get into the semi final. He said nerves might have played a little part early.
“The first half we struggled a little bit,” he said. “South Melbourne is a great team and has some great players.
“We do have some young players in the team, to it could have been a bit of that [nerves]
“We didn’t execute the plan at all in any moment in the first half. We reiterated what we spoke about during the week at half time.
“The second half we executed it and that is how we won.”
He said they put the belief in the players at half time and they were able to respond.
Keiwa Hieda and Alexis Mitchell were the goal scorers for Calder, both with some individual moments of brilliance.
“Keiwa down the wing was really evasive the last part and was able to find the finish,” Maiorana said.
“Aleks has the tool box to do that and it’s always at her disposal.”
Just five players, who were part of the team from last season’s Nike F.C Cup championship, were part of Calder’s team on Wednesday night.
They were captain Ava Groba, Western United star Alana Cerne, Natasha Dakic, Montanna Mathews and Raquel Deralas.
Maiorana said it was good for all the others to have the opportunity to play in a big game like this.
“It will help them going forward in their careers experiencing these big moments,” he said.
A win in the final would ensure Calder’s second trophy for the year having already won the Community Shield.
Calder didn’t celebrate making the final, as it was back in National Premier League Women’s action on Sunday, after deadline.
Calder faced Heidelberg United. Calder entered the round in sixth spot, only one point outside the top four.
Maiorana said they were keen to make the finals in that competition.
“We are a point behind Box Hill, but we have a game in hand,” he said. “We’re fighting for the top four.
“We’ll continue to play our game and execute the plan we’ve been doing most of the year. We would like to be in the top four.”
