A place in the NPL 1 grand final is within touching distance for Rockdale City after the Suns shocked Blacktown City 4-2 to advance to Saturday night’s major semi-final.
Rockdale will take on premiers APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park for a place in the decider after three goals inside the opening half hour against Blacktown set up victory in their preliminary final on Sunday.
The Suns head into the match on an excellent run on form, unbeaten in their last five matches with three of those games against fellow heavyweights APIA and Blacktown.
Rockdale goalkeeper Ante Covic hailed his side’s first half performance but warned they would need to improve again when they take on APIA.
“It was a crazy game. We could’ve been 4-0 up in the first half and they had several opportunities to score in the second,” he said.
“We did get a bit lucky at times with them hitting the crossbar in the second [half] and we will need to tighten up when we play APIA next week but we’re still really happy with the performance.
“We’ve had a really good end to the year and showed our quality when we drew with Blacktown last time and again today so I’m very pleased for the boys.”
The Suns took the lead inside five minutes when Jonathan Grozdanovski pounced on a goalkeeping error from Blacktown gloveman Tristan Prendergast.
Rockdale doubled their advantage when Jordan Figon squeezed a Brayden Forge cross under Prendergast at his near post on 23 minutes. The Suns were flying when Figon scored his second just after the half hour mark when he swept home a Grozdanovski cut back from near the penalty spot.
But a Matthew Lewis strike just before half-time gave Blacktown a lifeline and it was game on when Yuta Konagaya turned home a rebound to make it 3-2 with 30 minutes to play, with Blacktown going close to drawing level when James Andrew hit the bar.
But Rockdale held on and sealed the result 10 minutes from time through a Harris Gaitatzis penalty after Blake Ricciuto was brought down.
Rockdale’s under-18s side also advanced to their major-semi final after downing Sydney United 58 4-0. The Suns will take on Sydney FC.
Meanwhile, under-20s premiers Sutherland will also take on Sydney FC in their major semi-final on Saturday after their week off.
2017 NPL 1 major semi-finals
1st grade – APIA Leichhardt vs Rockdale City 7.30pm at Lambert Park
Under-20s – Sutherland v Sydney FC 4.30pm at Lilys Football Centre
Under-18s – Sydney FC v Rockdale City 2pm at Lilys Football Centre
All matches on Saturday. Winners advance to grand final.