Canberra FC cruised into the Canberra National Premier League grand final despite having lost former Young Socceroos captain Kaz Patafta during the week.
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Patafta's absence didn't have any effect on the league champions as they hammered a hapless Belconnen United 4-0 in Sunday's qualifying final. The Blue Devils return to Deakin Stadium to face Canberra Olympic in Saturday's preliminary final for the right to take on Canberra FC in the September 21 decider.
Patafta skippered the Australian under-17s and under-20s, played three games for Portuguese club Benfica and had stints with Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets before giving the game away.
The 24-year-old joined Canberra FC midway through the season, scoring three goals in a 7-2 flogging of Cooma two weeks ago and featuring in last week's 9-0 thumping of Monaro.
Canberra FC coach Miro Trninic said Patafta walked out on the team after training last Tuesday night, but was confident he had the depth in his squad to cover for his loss.
"He's a good boy, but some things I can't help,'' Trninic said.
"We dominated today's game, we controlled the middle third, the boys did everything we asked for. We played smart and in the end we were too good.''
The Blue Devils will be sweating on the fitness of key defender Jack Green, who was an unused substitute after suffering an ankle injury in last week's 2-0 loss to Woden Valley.
They will also be hoping to have Callum Smith and Michael Reeve available after both players missed the qualifying final to trial with the Futsalroos in Sydney.
Canberra FC made all the running in the opening half an hour, without any success.
The league champions got their just rewards as Ryan Keir knocked in a simple header at the far post to give the hosts a deserved lead in the 34th minute.
Matt Grbesa flicked Daniel Bennett's corner across goal to allow his Canberra FC teammate to get on the scoresheet. Alex Oloriegbe doubled the advantage a minute before half-time, combining beautifully with James Field and firing a powerful shot past United keeper Ben Klug.
The floodgates opened after the break, Adam Spaleta and Oloriegbe finding the back of the net to complete the rout.
In the women's Premier League, Belconnen United advanced to the grand final with a 2-1 win against the Monaro Panthers, who will face Canberra FC in the preliminary final this week.
AT A GLANCE
Canberra National Premier League qualifying final: CANBERRA FC 4 (Ryan Keir 34', Alex Oloriegbe 44', 74', Adam Spaleta 56') bt BELCONNEN UNITED 0 at Deakin Stadium on Sunday.
