South East United pulled off an impressive giant-killing feat when they downed Launceston City 2-0 at Pembroke Park on Sunday (yesterday) in the semi-finals of the Lakoseljac Cup.
United are in the second-tier Southern Championship competition, while City sit second on the standings in the top-tier NPL Tasmania league.
United will now face top team in the NPL, South Hobart, in the final scheduled for Devonport’s Valley Road ground.
Launceston City were the second NPL opponent vanquished by South East United, having earlier disposed of Clarence Zebras 3-0.
But, there was a world of difference in this semi-final. Clarence Zebras are last in the NPL with no points after seven games, whereas Launceston City are second in the NPL and riding high just a point behind leaders South Hobart.
Football is so popular throughout the world in large part because of its sheer unpredictability, which makes it so exciting.
Few would have given the second-tier side a chance in this clash, but they performed resolutely and effectively to down their high-ranking visitors.
Luke Huigsloot gave South East United the lead after only 3 minutes and City were in shock.
City kept possession and passed the ball from side to side but failed to penetrate against a fierce and committed defence, failing to get in behind down the flanks.
Launceston City’s shock turned to alarm when Dawyne Walsh struck the second goal in the 34th minute.
City dominated the second half and even when they did penetrate the home defence they were denied by inaccurate finishing and two brilliant saves by South East United goalkeeper Mitchell Stalker.
South East United squad had several former NPL players, including both goal-scorers, and this proved vital as the team remained composed and sat out the game protecting their 2-0 lead to qualify for the final.
There have been few giant-killing acts better than this one in this competition and South East United were the toast of their supporters in the excellent crowd at the ground.
There were lots of neutrals as well, eager to see an upset, while South Hobart coaches, players and supporters were also there eying off their opponents in the forthcoming cup final.
A delighted South East United coach, Adam Shackloth, said: “I speak often about moments. Football is about moments, and today the moments went our way.
“you cannot control the external.things, such as refs, opposition, weather etc., but what you can control is your moments, and I felt today we did that.
“We have the utmost respect for Daniel and his side, and we put a mountain of work in behind the scenes to prepare for today. We love the way City go about their game plan and stick to it, and the effort and determination they have. There’s a real tenacity and it’s a credit to Daniel and his organisation.
“But, today, we knew the task and we set our plans and executed them accordingly.
“We are so proud of the lads for their commitment to the cause, their appetite for success and their willingness to do what we asked.
“Our players are our club, and we could not be more proud.”
It was a long drive home to Devonport for Launceston City coach, Daniel Syson.
He had this to say about the game:
“Firstly, congratulations to South East United on getting to the final. It’s a massive accomplishment for any club to make a final.
“We didn’t perform to our usual level of where we’ve been at this season.
“We struggled to get our usual rhythm and it didn’t seem like it was going to be our day on various occasions.
“I feel for my players and the club as I know how much this meant to us all internally, but this is another opportunity to see who we are as a group and see our true character and I have full trust we will bounce back with even more determination and we will work even harder as a group.”
70 comments:
Congrats SE! City. Wow.
City are the northern version of Kingborough
Surely the final is not played in Devonport
City overrated . Not consistently a good side. SE are capable of putting in a good performance but to do it consistently at that level , is doubtful. They were lucky to defeat Hobart City only a week or two ago.
Hobart City are plucky… SE have taken it up to every team they’ve played. Across league and cup they’ve yet to lose this season. Swept aside Zebras NPL and Launnie City shows they deserve to be at that level.
Walter, surely the Men's NPL final will be held in the south now that we have confirmation of two southern sides in the final.
It makes no sense to have the final in Dev away from both fan bases but also the majority of neutral supporters. Not to mention the players having to make an 8-hour round trip!
Hopefully FT come to their senses and make a sensible decision.
Anon 2.46. Zebras NPL , what a joke.
Way to many cards referee’s are losing the plot .
Take nothing away from SEU but goodness me that refereeing display was a shambles! Entertaining for the neutral though!
Supporters afraid to travel more than 30 mins? Not real supporters then. Come past Campbell Town. Wong hurt you
Should of done the interview with Syson this week Walter
Surely the better referees should be doing such an important game as a cup semi final.
If Liverpool and Man City make the FA Cup final do they move it from London?
Great comparison
Standard excuses from city
They will get destroyed in the final
Great game from SEU - defended well but equally dangerous on the break - full team effort playing with genuine intensity all across the paddock. City boys will be sore from that one. Will be tricky for South to unpick them.
Won’t be an easy game for South Hobart
Any neutral wants to see a decent referee for a big game. It’s beyond a joke who gets allocated such a game when their are far better fourth officials standing on the touch line.
South will destroy them if they are on their game.
Ludicrous. 2 Southern Tassie teams & supporters will need to travel to Valley Rd which will most likely be an afternoon game. Needs to be down South to be fair to both clubs & supporters.
Anon at 648. Is Devonport now the Wembley of Tasmania? Lmao.
People pretending like SEU aren't pumping out thousands of dollars a week in player payments. Come on now.
Plus all the other incentives… but it does help when you have big sponsors so fair play
Here we go again with player payments from salty ex players who were never good enough to get a few cents. Who is pretending? And who cares if players are paid? Everyone screams about how amateur our leagues are, and players are leaving to social comps / other sports, yet clubs pay some players and all the sooks who were never good enough suddenly appear.
Well done SEU. What a scrap. Defended so well. Callum Brown was a standout for me & would be a star in any NPL team. Should be a close final but what a crazy decision to play it up north.
Looks like money well spent.
Well done South East, but can we acknowledge the name South East is stupid, whats next North West FC coming out of Wynyard. East North East from St Helens. Get a proper name please
So "south hobart" is also a stupid name with that logic, they are in south hobart so called south hobart, south east are in the south east, makes sense
It's better then Sorell
Should be Clarence Olympia South East Zebras.
Any idea what city are paying a week?
7:35AM - why are you so emotional?Just stop acting like it’s an underdog Cinderella story when you have the highest player wage bill in Tasmania and a Wrexham like funding model.
A higher quality of field then either South or SEU one would think?
Last I checked no suburb in Tasmania called "South East" but there is one called "South Hobart"...
Plenty
Anon 11.39……. You ommitted Eastern Suburbs, Nelson and Barnstoneworth. …. That should cover them all!
The region they are based in is called "south east"
Agreed.
Launceston City should be called Prospect FC
Launceston United should be called Newstead United FC
How dare teams like Western United and Western Sydney Wanderers use names like this. ..
Such a Tasmanian conversation
Which one are you referring to? There are numerous discussion points attached to y to his post.
12:07PM - You got me mate. My emotions are just out of control...
If you could read, the entire purpose of my previous comment was - who cares? How is that by any means emotional..
Which was not specific to SEU. Look at South, Dev, and Knights. Whenever they win, people go straight to complain about MoNey!! Teams pay players, people need to get over it.
A lot of $ City are paying. When you have had zero success in the return of the state league, they are throwing the $ around
Being from South, unfortunately Devonport have the best facilities in the state by a mile.
Arguing over a clubs name
You do sound very emotional, I think your head has gone because you’re missing my point. All I’ve read (from Taylor in particular) is that “it keeps happening”’ or it’s an upset. No upset when your player quality and wages is at NPL level, but just in a different league. No one is buying into the little engine that could story, as much as you want to peddle it.
You know you have been successful in Tassie football when people start bagging you out when you win
SE United are a great example of a well run club that attracts quality players whom for whatever reason have no interest in playing in the NPL competition. Their team on Sunday had 6, maybe 7 blokes whom if they still wanted to could make the list of just about any of the NPL squads. My view, there is nothing wrong with wanting to play at a decent standard local level that doesn't require the extra commitment of playing at an NPL club. If SEU were to go into the NPL the question has to be asked, would these blokes move onto another non-NPL club?
The fact is 4 of the starting players have been at the club for atleast 5 years, and the rest of the players have gone to the club through connections of the coaches or their own accord, not because of money but the club would make them feel wanted unlike their previous club because of lack of game time or being past their prime
One has to wonder where the South East United FC will the find the 100k plus needed to fund a season in the NPL? When you scratch the surface there is not much underneath.
Which part/s makes 7:35am and 4:16pm posts emotional? Sorry your team lost mate, next time xxxx
So you’re pointing out that SE have actively hunted 7 players to build a team, not produce even 50% for their line up from their illustrious junior setup? That’s not sustainable from an ongoing performance or club culture point of view. They will crumble in the NPL.
In city’s defence at least they have found an import worth paying now. For years they would get new import year after year who were average at best
South Hobart will win 5-0 but that's a different story.
SE have done magnificently well to get to the final. They're a handful on their pitch but South have superior fitness levels and that will expose most teams.
What does the future hold?
I suspect a regional comp will come into play in 3 years. The state league is cooked.
Take it easy Shacky. It may be easy to get excited when you defeat an ordinary NPL side on the day, but to seek out Melbourne Victory in the national cup comp is a little premature. Surely you would prefer a team from a lower league so that you may and I say “ may” have a chance of victory against them. Firstly you need to defeat South which may be very difficult.
Similar to Knights a while ago, there’s decent cash there in the background.
What are you referencing? Where has Shack said this?
No way if you make the final this is what it's about soak up the occasion. Even more so for a 2nd division team good on them go and enjoy it however they want.
Anon 3.21. Do you check other social media that is available? Look hard and thee shall find.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
They asked to go to SE no one would've went hunting, no one would be getting paid a cent, just a great family culture
Kingborough, knights both haven’t produced many if any players that start for them
Which import is worth the $ they are throwing around?
Glad I'm anonymous but who would prefer the u21 league was on YouTube rather then the WSL, far more talent and the games much higher quality.
Yes I personally would much rather tune in to u21 games
Don’t you will upset the women. WSL is amazing and they deserve the same pay
Anon 9.29PM. Are you daft? I’ve simply asked where it was posted as I hadn’t seen it.. I use minimal social media if that answers your question. Can you answer mine now?
The WSL the players are not that skilled, AFL is going ahead in leaps and bounds they are picking up the girls that are more athletetic
Agreed. Soccer is Tas is going backwards
It’s a shame really there are some good players in the WSL, shame they end up having to play with 14 years old every week
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