VPL Grand Final preview
10.10.2012
Dandenong Thunder v Oakleigh Cannons Sunday 14 October at AAMI Park. Kick-off 5:30pm.
Dandenong Thunder will be aiming to win the first Victorian men’s treble in 31 years when they take on Oakleigh Cannons in the Victorian Premier League Grand Final at AAMI Park this Sunday, kicking-off at 5:30pm following the Hyundai A-League match between Melbourne Heart and Wellington Phoenix.
Having already won the State Knockout Cup as well as the VPL League Title, Dandenong are only 90 minutes away from making history when they take on the Cannons.
With Oakleigh finishing second in the league before knocking off Dandenong in the Major Semi-Final to quality first for the Grand Final, there is no doubt that the two best teams in Victoria will be on the park.
Oakleigh too have a point to prove after narrowly missing out on a treble themselves last season, despite coming away empty-handed. Having lost the League Title on goal difference they also lost the Grand Final 3-2 in extra-time after going ahead before losing the State Knockout Cup Semi-Final 2-1, again after going ahead.
On their second consecutive appearance at AAMI Park, Oakleigh will be determined to leave with silverware.
The Grand Final itself looks on paper to be an even match as there has been nothing between the two teams in their three previous encounters. A Round Nine 1-1 draw was followed by a 0-0 result in Round Twenty before Oakleigh defeated Dandenong on penalties in the Semi-Final following a 1-1 score-line after extra time.
The only advantage any team seems to have is player availability, with Oakleigh having the luxury of a full squad to choose from while Thunder will be missing Mathew Theodore (injury), Craig Elvin (injury) and Andrew Mullett (suspension).
Discounted tickets to the match are available here and include entry to the Hyundai A-League match beforehand. Alternatively, the Grand Final will be available to watch as a free web stream on VPL Live TV.
VPL Grand Final
Oakleigh Cannons v Dandenong Thunder
Sunday 5:30pm AAMI Park
Final League Position:
Oakleigh Cannons: 2nd
Dandenong Thunder: 1st
Last Match:
Oakleigh Cannons: Dandenong Thunder 1-1 Oakliegh Cannons (4-5 on penalties)
Dandenong Thunder: Dandenong Thunder 4-1 Green Gully Cavaliers
VPL History:
Oakleigh Cannons win: 2
Dandenong Thunder win: 3
Draw: 4
Form:
Oakleigh Cannons: DLWWW
Dandenong Thunder: DWDLW
Reverse Fixtures:
Round Nine: Oakleigh Cannons 1-1 Dandenong Thunder
Round Twenty: Dandenong Thunder 0-0 Oakleigh Cannons
Major Semi-Final: Dandenong Thunder 1-1 Oakleigh Cannons (4-5 on penalties)
http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/index.php?id=17&tx_ttnews%5Byear%5D=2012&tx_ttnews%5Bmonth%5D=10&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=857&cHash=77ca2487ff6639a77415c8b78b11db64