2025 Semi Finals Preview – NPL Women’s NSW

Semi-Final football has arrived in the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition with the action kicking off on Saturday evening.

Bulls FC Academy, APIA Leichhardt, UNSW FC and Mt Druitt Town Rangers face off this weekend, looking to secure a place in the Grand Final at Jubilee Stadium next Saturday afternoon.

Bulls FC Academy v Mt Druitt Town Rangers

Valentine Sports Park 2

Saturday 6th September, 6pm

The action kicks off on Saturday evening at Valentine Sports Park as the newly crowned Premiers host Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

The Bulls secured the Premiership in dramatic style on the final day of the season, defeating second placed APIA Leichhardt in a direct clash for first place.

In a season where the Bulls have dominated, they deserved to finish on top of the pile, losing only twice in their last 20 games.

Much has been spoken about Petria Phillips (10 goals) and Isabella Coco Di SIpio (17 goals) who have been lethal in front of goal, they will be the biggest danger to the Rangers goal.

But it’s at the other end where captain Liz Grey has probably not received the plaudits she deserves, showing in that Premiership winning game just how important of not just a player but a leader she is too.

Marty Garces knows that half the job is done, ‘risk and reward’ is his motto, and the Bulls will not rest here and continue the push to secure the double.

It’s been a season that any promoted team could only dream about having, making a Cup final, finishing in the play offs and a potential Grand Final still a reality, Ben Gough could not be prouder of his team.

The veteran Leen Khamis has been an incredible reason for the team’s success, much like Grey, showing true leadership and when the going gets tough, the first to put her body on the line.

They have played a ridiculous amount of football in the last month and still managed to secure a spot in finals football despite that, they will come into this one with a dangerous mentality for their opponents, nothing to lose.

The Bulls will be aware the Rangers lead the competition standings for the majority of this campaign and the quality they possess across the squad.

The ledger is split between the two so far this season, the Rangers won the first clash at Popondetta courtesy of Rosie Galea after a Petria Phillips first half red card.

At Northbridge Oval Liz Grey scored a goal in each half to secure the points with a 2-0 victory for the Bulls.

APIA Leichhardt v UNSW FC

Lambert Park

Sunday 7th September, 1:30pm

What a game this promises to be at Lambert Park as APIA Leichhardt host UNSW FC on Sunday at 1:30pm.

APIA lost the Premiership for the second consecutive year at home on the final game of the season in devastating fashion.

A team that has shown character, over coming an early season hurdle and emerging from eighth place to put themselves in a position to challenge for the Premiership.

Ash Crofts has been in outstanding form, her run of seven straight games that she scored in coming to an end on Sunday, finding the back of the net 20 times this season.

They will be without Alyssa Rose this weekend who was shown a straight red card over the weekend, a player that has been influential to APIA’s rise and a key contributor to a number of APIA goals this season.

Before the loss against the Bulls on Sunday, the last time APIA lost was all the way back in round 16, against who else but UNSW.

UNSW have become the last gasp queens over the last month, scoring stoppage time winners an incredible four times in a row, securing them a finals position.

Since that win against APIA back on 22 June, they have only lost twice, winning the other eight games placing them as one of the form teams in the competition.

Chloe Smith has once more found her scoring touch, picking up a hat-trick on Saturday night, taking her season tally to 13 goals.

This is a team though that was expected to be where they are, quality players all across the park and most importantly, match winners.

Angelique Hristodoulou has blossomed at The Village Green in 2025, finding her mojo again and putting up some impressive performances this season.

Hristodoulou put her former side to the sword last time they played, scoring a brace with Annalise Rasmussen scoring the other, while Mona Walker scored the consolation in a 3-1 win for UNSW.

APIA did win the first clash between these two, Brinley Gentle scoring a stoppage time winner after Demi Koulizakis cancelled out a Gisella Pipino opener.

Don’t miss a game! Subscribe to Football NSW’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/footballnsw

-By Nikola Pozder