Four fascinating match-ups will decide which teams get to enjoy the limelight on Football Tasmania’s showpiece Cup finals day.
Seven clubs will have a part to play in this weekend’s semi-finals, with South Hobart the only one still represented in both competitions.
Having seen off arch-rivals Devonport in a Lakoseljac Cup quarter-final thriller, South’s men face a trip to Riverside Olympic, while the women travel to fellow Women’s Super League side Glenorchy.
The other semis offer the chance of some regional league romance as the runaway leaders in both Southern Championship competitions host statewide big guns.
In the Women’s Statewide Cup, University, who have kicked off their Southern Championship campaign with seven straight wins, welcome holders and reigning champions Devonport; while the Lakoseljac Cup sends NPL Tasmania challengers Launceston City to the Sorell home of South East United.
Beaten semi-finalists last season, Olympic landed a third-straight home tie, having previously seen off Southern Championship rivals Olympia and New Town White Eagles, and coach Helder Dos Santos Silva said he can’t wait for 2.30pm on Saturday.
“Great feeling, second year in a row and we’re buzzing about it,” he said.
“Massive challenge, not just for us but for them too. It’s a semi-final and the magic of the Lako Cup.”
Asked what his message would be to his side, the Portuguese tactician replied: “Win. It’s a semi-final - we have to go with that mentality. Yeah, South Hobart are a great team and top of the ladder, but we are a great team too.”
Having beaten Riverside 3-0 in the league a fortnight ago, South assistant coach Josh Dingjan said the squad was in a confident mood.
“It is the Cup, so there’s always a few jitters there, but I think it’s more excitement than anything else,” he said.
“We’re expecting a challenge but hopefully our preparation will overcome that.
“Motivation in the group is at an all-time high knowing that we could get onto a national stage if we do get the win.”
Victorious in every game played this season, South East United have already claimed one NPL victim, having beaten Clarence 3-0 in the quarter-final, and coach Adam Shackcloth said the belief is there to take another.
“Why not?” he said. “If we go out with the attitude of 'do or die' then we leave it all on the table and I think that’s important for us as a Championship club looking to compete on the big stage.
“It’s all part of the journey and this is just one step in that process so Sunday can’t come quick enough.”
The last Launceston team to reach a final way back in 2007, City faces a third consecutive trip south after beating University and Kingborough in previous rounds, racking up 10 goals in the process, but coach Daniel Syson is wary of the underdogs.
“South East are a good side,” he said. “They’ve scored I think it’s 140 goals in something like 30 games and conceded 26. At any level of football that’s some statistic, so it’s going to be a great test for us and we’re really looking forward to the game.
“We train four times this week and we’re really not taking this for granted. We definitely won’t rest any players - this is a semi-final of a Cup.”
With both senior finals being played at Valley Road on Monday, June 9, Devonport are the only team facing the prospect of home advantage in the Women’s Statewide Cup.
However, they meet a University side which claimed the statewide scalp of Riverside in the previous round, is scoring nearly six goals per game this season and whose coach Amey Jambakar is relishing the prospect.
“We are playing the best team in the State - for us, that’s a big thing,” he said. “My girls will give everything we have, but we know we are up against a massive, well-oiled machine. Massive respect for Devonport, but whatever happens, happens.
“We just want to put on a good show, play to our abilities and make sure that we stick to our plans and be competitive.”
Strikers’ cup defence has been plain sailing so far with a 17-0 win at Olympia followed by a forfeit, but coach Tom Ballantyne is on the lookout for banana skins.
“The joy of the Cup is that on the day it’s a one-off game and anything’s possible,” he said.
“We’ve done our research on them and feel like we’re prepared. They seem to play a 4-3-3 from what we can tell. They’ve got two very good wingers - two sisters - so if we can nullify their threat out wide with their pace, I think we’ll control the game.”
Glenorchy enjoyed fruitful trips north to Burnie United (13-1) and Launceston City (3-0) in previous rounds, as did South Hobart who were similarly successful at Ulverstone (9-0) and Launceston United (4-1).
Knights coach Ivica Bolonja said his team learned much from a 4-1 round-two loss in the teams’ last meeting.
“We’ll definitely go into the game thinking we’ve got a chance to challenge them,” he said. “On our day we’re able to challenge anyone in this league and we’ll go in with that confidence.
“When we get it right, we’re as good as anyone in the league.”
South player Danielle Kannegiesser said her teammates were aware of the task awaiting them at KGV.
“Glenorchy Knights are a great young squad so we’re expecting a nice cold, icy game but we’re definitely ready for the challenge,” she said.
Women's Statewide Cup semi-finals
Saturday, May 17
2pm University of Tasmania v Devonport, Olinda Grove
5pm Glenorchy v South Hobart, KGV
Lakoseljac Cup semi-finals
Saturday, May 17
2.30pm Riverside Olympic v South Hobart, Windsor Park
Sunday, May 18
1pm South East United v Launceston City, South East Complex