Soccer: All eyes on Perth game

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The top six teams for the Australian NSL have been found. The only real interest in this weekend's last round is now in Perth's home game with Northern Spirit.

Both sides are assured of their play-off spots but Perth Glory, two points clear of second-placed Olympic Sharks, will be determined to take at least a point from the game to ensure they finish top and take six bonus points into the play-offs.

The Sharks, who can finish no worse than second, are at home to Adelaide City Force (another team in the top six) needing to win to have any chance of heading Perth.

The second-placed team earns three bonus points.

Northern Spirit confirmed their place in the six with a 2-1 home win over bottom-placed Marconi Stallions.

All the scoring in Adelaide was in the second spell.

Matthew Kemp gave the home side their 53rd minute lead which they held until the 81st minute when Dino Mennillo gave Wollongong Wolves some hope with a well-struck penalty.

Within a minute Adelaide were back in front courtesy of a Robbie Stanton own goal.

Perth made no race of it against Melbourne Knights, winning 3-1.

Parramatta Power were the last team to ensure their top six finish when they beat Sydney United 1-0 in the last game of the round, courtesy of a 76th-minute own goal.

The Football Kingz, 2-1 winners over Newcastle United, are at home to South Melbourne on Sunday. Victory for the Kingz could take them as high as ninth on the final table.