One thing is missing from the Canberra Croatia FC's trophy set, following their undefeated season last year, and their leading goal scorer says it is on their list for Saturday.
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Croatia's striker Brittany Palombi has netted 12 goals this season and is looking to continue her goal scoring ways in the final of the Federation Cup tomorrow against West Canberra Wanderers FC.
The two sides last met in round two of the NPLW season, with Croatia claiming a 5-0 win. However, Palombi said a lot of things had changed since then.
Croatia are coming off their first loss in 19 games, following their 3-1 loss to Canberra United Academy last weekend.
Palombi said the loss was the wake up call the team needed to shake them out of their complacency and they had their eyes on claiming the silverware for the first time in years.
"[Wanderers] have been playing really well, so they're going to come out really confident," she said.
"We have a lot to prove this weekend.
"[The loss] needed to happen sometime soon, because we've been getting away with wins, and not playing that great. I think it was good for us in the long run because then it kicks us into gear."
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The Wanderers sit sixth, behind Croatia in second place, following their 1-0 loss to Canberra Olympic FC last weekend.
Prior to the loss, the side was on a five-match undefeated streak.
Player/coach Emma Stanbury said her side had spoken about what they needed to do to come home with the silverware, after they struggled to put away goals in last weekend's defeat.
"Ultimately we beat ourselves on the weekend, we didn't put away opportunities that we should have," she said.
"I've explained to them as long as we play our game and put away those opportunities we'll get the win. It's just up to each individual doing their job.
"If we do have those little mental lapses, that's when Croatia will punish us and we just can't let that happen."
The side has focused on speed of play ahead of the fixture, to ensure they can match Croatia's tempo with the ball. The 29-year-old said a win would mean at lot to the Woden club.
"We've got a lot of hard working volunteers that have come on board with what I'm trying to bring to the women's program, because I'm trying to step it up a notch, so ... to bring home the silverware would be a nice reward for everyone's hard work and dedication," she said.
AT A GLANCE
Federation Cup final: Canberra Croatia FC v West Canberra Wanderers - Deakin Stadium, Saturday 2pm
FFA Cup regional final: Tigers FC v Monaro Panthers - Deakin Stadium, Saturday 5pm
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
