The 1981 NSL Cup final was the final match of the 1981 NSL Cup, the fifth season of the National Soccer League Cup. It was played at Bruce Stadium in Canberra on 20 September 1981 between Brisbane Lions and West Adelaide.
Brisbane Lions won the match 3–1 for their first NSL Cup title. As winners, Brisbane Lions qualified for the 1982 Charity Shield, which they lost to National Soccer League champions Sydney City.
It was decided that the final would be hosted in Canberra as part of a gala weekend featuring annual press awards.
Route to the final
Brisbane LionsRoundWest AdelaideOppositionScoreOppositionScoreTownsville United (A)3–01stPara Hills (H)3–0Grange Thistle (H)2–02ndCumberland United (H)3–1St Kilda Hakoah (H)1–0QFBrisbane City (H)4–2Marconi Fairfield (A)3–2SFAdelaide City (H)1–0Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue
Match
Details
GK20 Nigel LowndesDF5 Colin BennettDF6 Jim HermistonDF3 Alan NivenDF7 Steve HoggMF2 Paul OntongMF8 Jim McLeanFW9 Bobby FerrisFW— Calvin Daunt FW16 Craig LowFW— Billy WilliamsonSubstitutes:MF14 John Ogden Head Coach: Joe Gilroy GK1 Martyn CrookDF12 Zoran MaricicDF17 Ian McKieDF5 Shraga TopazMF— Tom FordeMF11 Ian McGregorFW10 Graham HoneymanFW— Vic SmytheFW8 Lopez Manecas FW— Jim Wright FW— Peter KowalskiSubstitutes:DF15 Con Kambas FW— Aldo Lorenzoni Head Coach: Peter Jasksa
Assistant referees: Don Campbell Jack JohnstonMatch rules 90 minutes 30 minutes of extra time if necessary
References