Preliminary Final: Richmond v Hume City

Sunday, September 5 at Knights Stadium - 5pm

 

Meetings in 2010:

Round Six - Richmond 1 (Jesse Krncevic), Hume City 1 (Alfonso Opazo)

Round 17 - Hume City 1 (Richard Cardozo), Richmond 0

 

Richmond must avoid a straight sets exit out of the finals series and ensure a place in the final game of the season after finishing top of the table.

 

The Eagles were dominant, albeit dropping off in the latter part, throughout the season but went down in their first finals game last week.

 

The team is packed with talent and the decision to play on its home pitch last week was a surprising one, given its underlying ability to possess and carve out chances.

 

They were undone by two scrappy goals, failing to clear their lines twice and beaten to the second ball.

 

Richmond did create a number of opportunities, but none were clear-cut and many were long-range efforts.

 

Looking for the diagonal runs of striking duo Daniel Visevic and Jesse Krncevic will be vital against Hume.

 

In the round 17 loss, midfielder Michael Ferrante, whose form has continued to build, was Richmond's most dangerous attacking avenue.

 

But then, too, the Eagles struggled to create chances, particularly after Hume went ahead midway through the first half.

 

Heidelberg United created plenty of goal scoring opportunities but was denied by a brilliant performance by Lupce Acevski in the Hume goal last weekend.

 

City was dangerous and took their chances in the opening period, and a two-goal buffer was enough.

 

The most impressive aspect of Hume's play occurred midway through the second half.

 

Under heavy pressure from an attacking and dangerous Heidelberg, City slowed the tempo, maintained possession and put to an end United's momentum.

 

All without injured pair Richard Cardozo and Ross Thompson, two players considered to be in City's starting 11.

 

The attacking impact of Andy Vlahos, missed against Gully, was vital.

 

The inclusion of experienced defender Steven Pace was also important as he dealt with tall target man George Slefendorfas.

 

But he could be excluded this week for Hume to deal with the pace of Visevic and Krncevic, although he was solid the last time the teams met.

 

Hume pressured the Eagles out of possession very high up the park last time and if Richmond is unable to deal with it this time, a straight sets exit is a possibility.

 

If they do and get Visevic, Krncevic and the wingers involved, the Eagles could face Gully again, this time at AAMI Park.

 

 

STORY SO FAR

(Qualifying Final) M1: Hume City 1-3 Green Gully

(Elimination Final) M2: Heidelberg United 3-1 Northcote City

 

(Major Semi-Final) M3: Richmond 1-2 Green Gully

(Minor Semi-Final) M4: Hume City 2-0 Heidelberg United

 

(Preliminary Final) M5: Richmond v Hume City

 

(Grand Final) M6: Green Gully v Richmond/Hume City