Soccer: Perth in record title success

Perth Glory have been confirmed as winners of the NSL minor premiership with four rounds still to be played.

At the other end of the table, Adelaide City Force have seen even their mathematical chance of making the top-six playoffs disappear.

And unless the Kingz get the disputed three points from South Melbourne their hopes, too, have gone.

Souths kept their top-six hopes alive with a 3-0 away win over Adelaide. They face third-placed Olympic Sharks this weekend.

Parramatta Power scored twice in their home game with Perth, but with the visitors scoring four, the Power will now be all out for maximum points when they meet the Kingz at Ericsson Stadium on Friday night.

It was not Perth's best effort of the season, but good enough to see them crowned minor premiers in record time.

Despite not scoring, Perth's Damian Mori remains three clear at the top of the goalscoring list with 16 - three ahead of Brisbane's Paul Foster, who limped out of the 1-0 loss to the Sharks following a 33rd-minute tackle which led to Steve Laybutt being sent off.

The race for the second playoff spot, and with it a second life, is as close as ever, with Newcastle United and the Sharks the most likely runners-up.

Newcastle are away to Perth this week and will be looking for at least a point to keep their hopes alive.