Flanagan’s Onions meet Vasco da Gama in the semi-finals of the First Division Shield in a battle of title contenders at PHC Field tomorrow.

Both sides are in the top three of the First Division midway through the season, with Flanagan’s having conceded just eight goals in their first seven games.

Their opposition, on the other hand, have been more aggressive and willing to take risks, scoring 17 goals, the third highest in the division, while conceding 14, the second-worst goal difference among the top six.

Vasco also need to improve on their recent form, losing 5-0 at home to St George’s in the previous outing, while also suffering a 3-0 defeat in the last meeting with Flanagan’s, resulting in just one win in their last four games.

They can, however, take confidence from having one of the top goalscorers in the league in Ryan Lopes, who has scored six goals in five games.

Flanagan’s have been, by far, the more defensively sound of the two central rivals, conceding just eight in their seven games in First Division, the second fewest behind St George’s, keeping four clean sheets in the process.

They have the best goal difference outside the top two, Devonshire Colts and St George’s. To add to their impressive defensive record, they have conceded just two goals in their streak of three wins in their last four games, scoring 11 goals in the process.

Vasco defeated Ireland Rangers 3-2 at White Hill Field two weeks ago in the quarter-finals, with Kevin Cabral scoring an unstoppable free kick to win the game with less than 15 minutes remaining. However, despite the form guide favouring Flanagan’s, Vasco will pose a threat through a mixture of creativity, pace, and steel.