Over almost 10 months Canberra Croatia FC has gone 16 games undefeated and the side is looking to clinch the one thing it left off its list last year - the Federation Cup.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The side will face Belconnen United FC at Deakin Stadium on Wednesday night in the Cup semifinal, after beating the side 3-1 last week in the regular Capital Football National Premier League season.
Last season Croatia went undefeated, took home the minor premiership and won the grand final. However, one accolade was left off the side's list, the Cup, as it did not go ahead due to COVID-19.
CCFC winger Brittany Palombi said last season's effort had set a high benchmark for the 18-player squad this year and it had put a target on their back as the team to beat.
"It does make it a bit harder for us having that expectation, but we've been going well this season so far, so it would be good to get a trophy early on," she said.
"It would set us up well for the rest of the season."
MORE IN SPORT
The attacker said the side was confident heading into the semifinal match against Belconnen, but every game was a different challenge.
"They're such a good team, so ... just because we won on the weekend doesn't mean that we're gonna win, but I feel like we're coming into our stride at the moment," Palombi said.
"The first few weeks of the season were pretty scrappy, but we're getting it together now so I think it should be a good game."
The striker has scored eight goals in her four appearances during the NPL season this year and is looking to capitalise on her momentum tomorrow. However, she said her personal goals were icing on the cake and not the aim, which was to get the win against Belconnen to reach the Cup grand final.
Croatia will be without Lara Agnew and Amy Mclachlan due to injury when they face Belconnen at 7pm tomorrow.