FSA NTC and Salisbury Inter were the participants of a classic Go Sunny Solar WNPL Grand Final as they put on a show for the 2247-strong crowd in a pulsating afternoon at ServiceFM Stadium, in which Inter were the eventual winners via the drama of a penalty shootout.
Regardless of the sport, Grand Final day is always characterised by the tension it is accompanied by. A side effect of that reality is that these big games often play out as physical battles, rather than entertaining spectacles, but that was far from the truth for the Go Sunny Solar WNPL SA Grand Final.
The expected tense start to the match was blown away by Erin Kontoutsikos who latched on to a loose ball before astonishingly placing the ball into Matilda Comley’s top corner to give NTC a dream start in its first ever WNPL Grand Final. The celebrations were nearly cut short less than a minute later when Haruna Sugihara was picked out in the box, but proceeded to hit Mary Dalpiaz’s right hand post on back-to-back efforts which kept NTC ahead.
Despite NTC making positive start, Salisbury Inter began establishing itself on the game, but Tony Scalzi’s side could not take advantage of its considerable set-piece threat. NTC’s lead seemed safe as half-time approached but five minutes before the break Inter made its move.
Nicola Scalzi’s shot was blocked by the NTC defence, and before she managed to gather the rebound, teammate Jasmine Styles was able to snap a shot through a sea of players. Maria Dalpiaz was able to save the effort, but Haruna Sugihara took advantage of the goalkeeper’s parry to bring Inter level from close range heading into the break.
Michele Lastella made the first change of the day during the break, Claire Scarpin being replaced by Camila Madriz Figueroa, while Inter’s usual handover of the captain’s armband between co-captains and centre back partners Nicole Calder and Chantelle Ryder indicated the start of the second half. Only seconds after kick-off Sugihara had a chance to double her side’s tally but placed the ball wide.
When it felt that the game was settling into a rhythm, Mina Nishitani and Haruna Sugihara combined on Inter’s left wing, with the former playing the latter into space. Sugihara’s smart run and cutback picked out Jasmine Style who pocked the ball home to give Inter the lead over NTC for the second time in the 2023 Finals Series.
In the first week of the Finals Series FSA NTC was unable to overcome going behind to Inter, and despite the best efforts of starting 11 and the five substitutes that were made by Michele Lastella it seemed like the match was going to be decided in 90 minutes in their opponent’s favour. Deep into the five minute of injury time, as Inter’s coronation seemed inevitable, Hayley Wellington claimed the ball in Inter’s box after a set piece before being tackled by Chantelle Ryder, a challenge which referee Joe-Jordan Tripodi deemed as a foul before awarding a penalty.
NTC substitute Stella Wieczorek, fresh off two goals off the bench against Adelaide Comets, stood up and converted her penalty to send the match into extra time. While Inter had not faced that situation in the 2023 Finals Series, NTC entered its third consecutive match that could not be decided in 90 minutes.
As fatigue set in, both sides began showing uncharacteristic lapses of concentration, but neither NTC or Inter were able to apply the finishing touches to the opportunities that presented themselves which meant the 2023 WNPL Championship would be decided on penalties.
10 perfect penalties could not separate the two sides as the shootout went into sudden death. Carla Madonna and Sienna Western both continued the trend of converting for their sides, before Mikayla Librandi was able to give Inter the advantage once again, with the shootout score standing at 7-6 with $12,500 dollars being donated to Endometriosis Australia by Go Sunny Solar for the 50 goals that hit the back of the net during the Finals Series.
Substitute Lily Barber stepped up for NTC’s seventh penalty, but the forward’s effort was saved by Matilda Comley, crowing Inter Champions in the process.
Salisbury Inter achievement is even more impressive when considering the almost complete turnover of its squad since completing the 2021 treble.
Inter Salisbury’s win meant that its joined Adelaide University, which claimed the WNPL Reserves crown earlier in the day by defeating West Torrens Birkalla.
Salisbury Inter 2-2 (AET) FSA NTC
Salisbury Inter wins 7-6 on penalties
Salisbury Inter
Sugihara 38'
Styles 72'
FSA NTC
Kontoutsikos 12'
Wright 90+5'
Attendance: 2247