Who doesn’t love a good underdog story? Wangaratta City FC’s senior sides have made the cut and will compete in the 2025 Albury Wodonga Football Association finals series, which commences this Sunday, 24 August. While they have passed the threshold to continue their season, they’ll be outside chances to take home any silverware. The senior men finished seventh overall, set to take on second-placed Albury Hotspurs, while the division one women will also face the Hotspurs after scraping into the top eight by a point. It will be an especially challenging run for the Lady Devils, who were forced to forfeit their final round clash with the top of the table Hotspurs last weekend due to player unavailabilities. Despite the long odds, the Lady Devils will fight like hell to secure the upset. “It will be our biggest challenge of the season,” division one women’s coach Raul Pahina said. “Half the squad will be playing reserve women, which will make things very tough, but we will have a side, and go in with confidence. “It will be the biggest upset of the year if we can pull it off, but I have full faith that the girls will leave nothing behind and give it their best. “I can’t wait to knock them out of the quarter finals.” The senior men also have an uphill battle, slated to take on Hotspurs for the second week in a row. While the ladder paints a very clear picture of who is expected to advance to the semis, in finals, it’s never that simple. The Devils are fresh off taking a 1-1 draw with ‘Spurs, a tremendous achievement and just the fifth time all year the Albury side hasn’t won a match. Coach Vitaly Leschen said there was no reason they couldn’t pull one over Hotspurs, given how well they played last week, but it would be difficult. “It’s obviously a tough game, you don't often get through the first week from seventh,” he said. “Last weekend, and really the second half of the season, gives us a bit of confidence that we can challenge them. “The boys are well and truly up for it and are excited for Sunday. “We’re hoping to see as much of the Wangaratta community as possible pitch-side on Sunday to see us through.” In other grades, there will be plenty of representation from the red and black, with 10 squads total making finals. Wangaratta City FC finals schedule – Sunday, 24 August D1M vs Albury Hotspurs – 3pm, Kelly Park 1. D1W vs Albury Hotspurs – 11.10am, Ian Barker Fields 1. D2M vs Wodonga Diamonds – 12.50pm, Melrose Park 1. D2W vs Wodonga Diamonds – 9.25am, LaTrobe Ground 1. U12 boys Red vs Albury Hotspurs Gold – 8am, Melrose Park 2. U12 boys Black vs St Pats Gold – 9.10am, Melrose Park 2. U14 boys vs Albury Hotspurs – 12.55pm, Ian Barker Fields 2. U16 boys vs Albury United - 8am, Melrose Park 1. U13 girls vs Twin City Maroon – 11.40am, Melrose Park 2. U15 girls vs Cobram Roar – 2.15pm. Melrose Park 2.
