Olympic FC will have to pick themselves up quickly after their narrow defeat to Queensland Lions officially cost them the premiership, with the finals series their final opportunity to finish the season with success.
The Hellenic Queensland side suffered a 2-3 home loss to the Lions in the 20th round on Sunday evening, remaining in second on 37 points and allowing their opponents to finish first.
Andrew Pengelly guided the premiers to victory with a first half hat-trick (11′, 26′, 34′), with Olympic forward Daniel Leck (16′, 88′) bringing them agonisingly close to earning a result.
The hosts will have to pick themselves up quickly as they set their sights on a second-place regular season finish and winning the championship in the finals series.
SA
Adelaide Olympic lost 2-3 at home against Cumberland United in their 21st round meeting on Saturday evening to stay in tenth on 20 points, three off the relegation spots.
The visitors went ahead through Amir Ibrahim (50′) before Tzoi Tsarkani converted his penalty to equalise (52′).
Tsarkani then hit it into his own net (54′), with teammate Dylan D’Agostino brining it level again (72′), but it was Cumberland that had the final say as Harry Thannhauser bagged a late winner (90+1′).
WA
Floreat Athena managed to hold onto a tough 0-1 away victory over Inglewood United in the 19th round on Saturday evening, maintaining their place in first with 40 points.
A first-half effort from Robert Petkov (34′) was enough to guarantee the win for Athena and preserve their one-point lead as league leaders.
Northern NSW
Newcastle Olympic lost 2-1 in their 21st round away outing with Adamstown Rosebud on Saturday afternoon to end their three-match winning streak and keep them in fifth on 27 points.
ACT
Canberra Olympic’s 16th round clash with O’Connor Knights was postponed due to ground closures.