Gungahlin United is within striking distance of a historic premiership after causing a major boilover in an elimination semi-final clash against Canberra FC on Sunday.
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But the Capital Football premier league underdogs face the daunting task of trying to topple the fired-up defending champion, Canberra Olympic, after it lost their semi-final battle.
Gungahlin coach Marcial Munoz says his team has the belief to make a charge to the club's first title and it showed ina 3-0 win against powerhouse Canberra FC.
Gungahlin scored two goals after half-time to seal the result and are just one win away from securing a grand final berth.
The only problem is Olympic is standing in the way after it lost a penalty shootout against Belconnen United.
It sets up a draining week for Olympic, with the team to play an A-League pre-season match against the Newcastle Jets on Tuesday night before backing up against Gungahlin on Saturday.
Olympic coach Frank Cachia will have to juggle player workloads to ensure they don't run out of steam for the club's bid to win three titles in a row.
"You'd be crazy if you didn't think that could have an affect on the preliminary final," Munoz said.
"Olympic has been the benchmark in the NPL and have been for a little bit. It's going to be a mammoth task, but the pressure is on them. Not on us.
"They won't be taking their game against Newcastle lightly, so they have to work out how they're going to go into both matches.
"There's always a belief we can do more and be competitive against the best, but I want to keep our feet firmly on the ground.
"But you do start to believe you can do a little bit more. These guys are starting to demonstrate qualities of playing and sacrificing for each other. The culture is a powerful thing.
"They trust each other so much now they feel like they're capable of anything and that's contagious."
Michael Rinaudo scored the opening goal after just nine minutes to give Gungahlin an early advantage, and they hammered home the result after the break.
First it was Jason O'Dwyer, who finished off a well-worked team move 30 second after half-time, and Misko Naumoski put the result beyond doubt with 21 minutes left.
Canberra FC was left lamenting missed opportunities, and coach Marko Vrkic said his players lost belief after O'Dwyer's goal.
"Gungahlin deserved to win, it's as simple as that," Vrkic said.
"After the second goal, our boys gave up. That's the problem, an attitude problem as well with some players.
"It's simple. In the first half they played one of their best halves all season, but they didn't score [a goal]. The second half was shocking.
"I can't say nothing much, I'm disappointed for the season, disappointed with the attitude and character of some people, but what can we do? We have to learn. We stay [with our] head up and look to the future."
AT A GLANCE
Capital Football premier league: GUNGAHLIN UNITED 3 (Michael Rinaudo 9', Jason O'Dwyer 46', Misko Naumoski 69') bt CANBERRA FC 0 at Woden Enclosed.
A-LEAGUE FRIENDLY
Tuesday: Canberra Olympic v Newcastle Jets at Deakin Enclosed, 6.30pm
PREMIER LEAGUE PRELIMINARY FINAL
Saturday: Canberra Olympic v Gungahlin United at Deakin Enclosed, 4pm.
