PLAYSTATION 4 NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUES: CANBERRA
MATCHDAY 17

Saturday 6th August
Belconnen United 1 (Aisosa Ihegie 39’) Tigers FC 4 (Stephen Domenici 15’, Julian Borgna 60’, 76’, Hussein Fureje 67’)
(McKellar Park)

Tigers FC can smell the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues Canberra title after a champion display in which they accounted for rivals Belconnen United 4-1 at McKellar Park. A double from Julian Borgna, added to goals from Stephen Domenici and Hussein Fureje, have the Tigers in pole position at the summit of the league table. 

The Tigers were first to strike when Golden Boot leader Domenici pounced on a poor defensive error to rifle home his 23rd goal of the season past young goalkeeper Ben Jackson, who may have done better with his decision making in the build-up to the goal. And Domenici possibly should have scored again later in the half after he brushed off a challenge and clipped the ball over Jackson, who was rescued by the retreating Matt Valeri who cleared off the line.

At the other end Jason Ugrinic may have done better than drag his shot woefully wide and David Kemp went close with a shot that rolled agonisingly across the face of goal after excellent approach work. Both sides had half chances to keep the scoreboard ticking over but it was the Blue Devils who would equalise six minutes before the half-time interval with a well-crafted goal.

Aisosa Ihegie, playing at right back, burst forward from a counter-attack and found himself clear of the Tigers defence. He still had plenty to do but finished expertly, lifting his finish over the advancing Jakob Cole and into the far corner, much to the delight of the decent home support in the main stand. The goal drew Belconnen level and ensured the teams entered the changing room all-square at 1-1.

Belconnen appeared the brighter of the two teams in the early stages of the second half and Kemp fired a half-volley well off target as the match began to heat up. The Blue Devils were monopolising possession but, against the run of play, Tigers FC struck on the hour. Jeremias Ibarra found Borgna in space inside the area and the attacking midfielder, beautifully cut back inside and calmly rolled his finish past Jackson. 

The visitors were certainly fired up by now and they went further ahead with an outstanding goal in the 76th minute. Borgna’s free-kick left much to be desired but, as it looped up into the air, substitute Fureje met it with a thunderous looping volley that crashed into the far top corner for a wonder strike. And three became four when Jackson missed a corner and Borgna headed down into the empty net to put Tigers into prime championship winning position.

Belconnen United: 20. Ben JACKSON, 3. Dustin WELLS, 4. Matt GRBESA, 6. David KEMP, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Conor NOLAN, 10. Jason UGRINIC, 11. Goran MUKEVSKI, 12. Aisosa IHEGIE, 16. Matt VALERI, 19. Nikolas POPOVICH
Substitutes used: 9. Sam SMITH, 18. Nicholas DAHL
Tigers FC: 1. Jakob COLE, 2. Nahuel GUERREO, 3. Milan POPOVICH, 4. Osman FOFANAH, 5. Dejan SANTRAC, 6. Brad MOORE, 7. Julian BORGNA, 8. Jeremias IBARRA, 9. Daniel BARAC, 10. Nicolas ABOT, 17. Stephen DOMENICI 
Substitutes used: 11. Ala MOBEDI, 12. Hussein FUREJE, 14. Alexandru EID
YELLOW CARDS: 7. Taylor BEATON, 12. Aisosa IHEGIE (Belconnen United), 2. Nahuel GUERREO, 5. Dejan SANTRAC, 6. Brad MOORE, 10. Nicolas ABOT (Tigers FC)
RED CARDS: Nil

Sunday 7th August
Tuggeranong United 3 (Aiodan Beatman 33’, Andrew Slavich 47’, 52’) Gungahlin United 0
(AIS Grass 4)

By Ahmed Jbeili

Tuggeranong United FC defeated Gungahlin United FC at the AIS grass fields on Sunday afternoon in one of their best performances of the season with a 3-0 victory. Thanks to a goal from Aiodan Beatman and a double from Andrew Slavich, the away side dominated the entire matchup and were just too good in the end. 

Both sides were coming into Matchday 17 of the PlayStation® 4 National Premier League coming off losses and the victors Tuggeranong will be happy they are back on winning ways after doing it tough the last few weeks.  Tuggeranong took control early in the first half and really should’ve had two goals in the first ten minutes. Chances for attackers Nikolaos Kalfas and Emilio Kista almost gave the away side an early lead if it wasn’t for some last ditch saves by Gunners keeper Jason Denham. 

Gungahlin just seemed they couldn’t click into second gear and Tuggers were more efficient when they didn’t have the ball. Despite dominating possession, Tuggers were almost caught out on the counter twice, with the Gunners attackers Nathan Duck and Mitch Steenbergen both scuffing some great chances late in the half. Although Gunners were gaining some momentum, it was ended after a Bateman goal in the 32nd minute. The midfielder was in the right spot to score inside the box after keeper Denham made a save from a Kalfas shot. The half ended 1-0 to Tuggeranong and with striker Duck receiving a yellow card after a late tackle. 

Gungahlin really had to step it up in the second half as Tuggeranong were dominant for the entire first half. It took only two minutes into the second half for Tuggers to double their lead thanks to an Andrew Slavich goal. After a storming run on the right wing by Kalfas, who crossed in for Slavich at the back post and slotted it in to make it 2-0. It went from bad to worse for Gungahlin as Tuggeranong scored again five minutes later through Slavich, who got his double for the afternoon. Some brilliant build up play from Kista and Kalfas who bamboozled the Gunners defence, set up Slavich who scored an absolute cracker from outside of the box to make it 3-0. 

It was all going Tuggeranong’s way, Gungahlin just couldn’t get going and the game started to get intense towards the end of the match. A number of yellow cards to were given out to both Gunners and Tuggers players. The match really started to slow down at this point as Tuggeranong took their foot off the pedal and Gunners despite making some attacking substitutions late on, just couldn’t find that spark to make a comeback.  

Tuggeranong United: 1. Josh LAGUDAH, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Dom SZRAKITY, 4. Jack GRADY, 6. Aiodan BEATMAN, 7. Nikolaos KALFAS, 9. Aaron CASHMAN, 10. Emilio KISTA, 13. Tim ANDERSON, 14. Andrew SLAVICH, 15. Liam HIGHMORE
Substitutes used: 8. Costa FALLAS, 16. Matthew KING
Gungahlin United: 1. Jason DENHAM, 2. Alex MOSCARITOLO, 3. David DEXTER, 7. Lachlan ATKINSON, 9. Nathan DUCK, 11. Jamie VEARNCOMBE, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 13. Matt TARMAWSKYJ, 14. Liam WALSH, 15. David JENKINS, 16. Jack GREEN
Substitutes used: 5. Jason O’DWYER, 8. Yousif MOHAMED, 10. Rowan BLAKE
YELLOW CARDS: 9. Aaron CASHMAN, 13. Tim ANDERSON (Tuggeranong United), 2. Alex MOSCARITOLO, 3. David DEXTER, 9. Nathan DUCK, 16. Jack GREEN (Gungahlin United)
RED CARDS: Nil

Monaro Panthers 4 (Martin Deng 57’, Tony Spaseski 83’, Ohio Asikhia 84’, Thomas Hewitt 88’) CU Academy 6 (David Carder 16’, 45’, Joshua Gulevski 19’, Lachlan Griffiths 40’, Bul Juach 70’, Jarrad Bain 90’ (og))
(Riverside Stadium)

CU Academy survived a late Monaro Panthers onslaught to claim an amazing 6-4 victory at the Riverside Stadium. The home team scored three times in the final seven minutes to give themselves a sniff of a remarkable comeback after trailing 5-1, but a last minute own goal scuppered their hopes.

There was little indication of the drama to come as the Academy dominated the opening stages of the match and were comfortably in control of proceedings by the half-time whistle. The visiting team got off to a flier as they took the lead in the 16th minute as David Carder opened the scoring. Just three minutes later it was 2-0 when Joshua Gulevski netted his tenth of the season and the Academy were up and away.

Monaro were caught again five minutes before the break when Lachlan Griffiths made it 3-0 with a coolly taken finish, and when Carder bagged his second on the stroke of half-time to make it four, the gig was as good as up for the Panthers. Or so we thought. A stern talking to at the interval precipitated a magnificent response late on.

Before that though Martin Deng reduced the arrears with a goal twelve minutes into the second half and the Panthers started to enjoy a lot more of the ball than they had previously. However, all that seemed to come to naught when Bul Juach, enjoying a decent game, was allowed the time and space to knock home his fifth PS4 NPL senior goal of the season and restore the four-goal cushion.

That should have bene that, but Monaro were far from done. Tony Spaseski’s goal, seven minutes from time, appeared on face value to be nothing more than mere consolation, but when rangy midfielder Ohio Asikhia scored within sixty seconds, it was suddenly game on. And thoughts of a point surfaced with two minutes remaining as Thomas Hewitt made it 5-4 with his first goal at this level. 

Monaro pushed for what would have been an outrageous equaliser, but the Academy struck on the break with the unfortunate Jarrad Bain, a promising young defender, putting through his own net in stoppage time to complete a crazy final ten minutes of action. 

Monaro Panthers: 21. Nathan ALFERINK, 3. Jarrad BAIN, 4. Thomas HEWITT, 5. Chris RUIZ, 8. Sam ROESTBAKKEN, 9. Ohio ASIKHIA, 10. Mark SHIELDS, 12. Tony SPASEKI, 13. Ed MCCARTHY, 14. Martin DENG, 16. Lachlan HUNTER
Substitutes used: 7. Jason BAXTER, 17. Michael PICCOLO, 20. Caleb CULLEN-RUA
CU Academy: 1. Sam BROWN, 4. Antoni TIMOTHEOU, 5. Niko KRESIC, 7. Joshua GULEVSKI, 8. Adrian MACOR, 9. Bul JUACH, 11. Thomas KRKLEC, 14. Niko UJDUR, 15. Lachlan GRIFFITHS, 17. Tony MADAFFARI, 20. David CARDER
Substitutes used: 10. Mate BARISIC, 13. Daniel SUBASIC, 19. Leo MAZIS
YELLOW CARDS: 20. David CARDER (CU Academy)
RED CARDS: Nil

Canberra Olympic 8 (Philippe Bernabo-Madrid 17’, 18’, 80’, 90+3’, Pat Ross-Magee 25’, Tom McLachlan 42’, Jordan Tsekenis 84’, Angelo Konstantinou 86’ (pen)) Woden-Weston FC 1 (Daniel Di-Salvatore 50’)
(O’Connor Enclosed)

By William Bremner

Canberra Olympic kept the pressure on league leaders Cooma Tigers and did their goal difference no harm in thrashing Woden-Weston FC 8-1 at O’Connor Enclosed on Sunday afternoon. Phillipe Bernabo-Madrid was chief destroyer with a four goal haul but he was ably supported by Pat Ross-Magee, Tom McLachlan, Jordan Tsekenis and goal keeper Angelo Konstantinou who all got on the score sheet 

The early moments left the neutral observer with the impression that a close competitive match might ensue as Woden-Weston FC competed well with the title chasers. Indeed they might have been the first on the score sheet as Jarryd Clifton beat the offside trap and raced toward goal only for his tame shot come cross to be easily dealt with by the retreating Olympic defence. 

Unfortunately that was about as good as it got for the visitors as the smooth Olympic machine clicked into gear. Bernabo-Madrid began the onslaught when he was challenged in the box by Ben Grieg and the ball skewed off both and into the bottom corner of the net. A minute later it was two and again Bernabo-Madrid proved to be the tormentor finishing off some slick passing. Ross-Magee made it three on 25 minutes lashing home from close range and you felt even at that early stage that the game was beyond Woden. The fourth before half time, courtesy of McLachlan, only confirmed that perception. 

The second half started with the home fans anticipating a similar goal fest as had been witnessed  in the first so it came as quite a shock when the visitors where first on the score sheet in the second stanza. Dan Di-Salvatore was the Woden-Weston FC scorer as on 50 minutes he was first to a through ball finishing neatly passed the advancing Konstantinou in the home goal. 

Woden were lifted by the goal and enjoyed their best period but any concerns Olympic might have had were put to rest on 80 minutes when Bernabo-Madrid completed his hat trick tucking a neat right foot finish into the bottom of Josh Wade’s net. Four minutes later Tsekenis planted a firm close range header passed Wade and two minutes after that Konstantinou jogged up from his goal to beat his over worked counterpart from the spot. 

Bernabo-Madrid completed the scoring with his fourth, another close range header and their goal difference, which may yet play a part in determining the destination of the championship, was suddenly a whole lot healthier. 

Canberra Olympic: 1 Angelo KONSTANTINOU, 2. Tim BOBOLAS, 3. Josh CALABRIA, 5. Phil YARNOLD, 7. Pat ROSS-MAGEE, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 11. Michael REEVE, 12. Adam ROGIC, 15. Tom MCLACHLAN, 18. Jordan TSEKENIS, 23. Nathen MEGIC
Substitutes used: 4. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 8. Bernard RENE, 13. Ben BASSER-SILK
Woden-Weston FC: 1. Josh WADE, 3. Arok THON, 4. Bradley OLIVERA, 6. Ben GRIEG, 7. Matthew WATERS, 8. Tim DEHELEAN, 9. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 10. Goran MILUTINOVIC, 11. Jarryd CLIFTON, 13. Christopher MCEWAN, 16. Roy ROMEO
Substitutes used: 2. Anton HOSHOVSKY, 14. Brady NIXON, 15. Mitch KORDA
YELLOW CARDS: 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 13. Ben BASSER-SILK, 23. Nathen MEGIC (Canberra Olympic), 13. Christopher MCEWAN (Woden-Weston FC)
RED CARDS: Nil

Canberra FC 4 (Domenic Giampaolo 22’, Ryan Keir 29’, Thomas James 56’, 90+1’) FFA COE 3 (Mark Moric 8’, Mirza Muratovic 79’, Jacob Italiano 90+2’)
(Deakin Stadium)

Canberra FC did enough to claim the three points with a nerve-shredding 4-3 win over the FFA COE at Deakin Stadium, but were made to hang on for their win after being guilty of a number of glaring misses early on. The hosts, in reality, should have been out of sight way before the conclusion which saw both teams’ trade goals within seconds. 

Thomas James should have given Canberra FC the lead in the opening seconds after the lively striker beat a frail looking FFA COE offside trap and advanced on goal. His finish lacked conviction however, a clipped shot over Jordan Griffiths in the FFA COE goal that was always drifting wide of the target.

Ivan Pavlak was next to have a go, his low drive turned around the post by the visiting goalkeeper, and Domenic Giampaolo wasted a one-on-one with a poor finish after excellent skill had created space in the area. Inevitably, the FFA COE made Canberra FC pay by scoring with their first clear opening, Mirza Muratovic squaring for Mark Moric to place a firm side-foot shot past Rory Larkin.

Giampaolo went close again shortly after the opener and was to continue an almost one-man war on the FFA COE goal throughout. An equaliser seemed likely and it was Giampaolo that got it midway through the half as the skilful attacker finally found his range. And FC led seven minutes later as James’ vicious in-swinging corner was met by a bullet header from the towering Ryan Keir. 

Giampaolo then saw a fierce shot turned around the post by Griffiths before Keir wasted another glorious chance, finding himself clear on goal but screwing his shot badly wide of the post as the half ended with FC 2-1 up.

It was a similar story after the break as Giampaolo hit the bar with a free-kick before a third goal duly arrived. James took advantage of a gift after Jordan Lamb had won the ball out wide to square for the forward who beat Griffiths to score. FFA COE responded with a brilliantly crafted goal with Muratovic springing a high defensive line and placing a finish across Larkin and into the far corner.

Both teams then passed up further opportunities to add to the total but it was the home team that looked to have sealed the points in the 91st minute. James was the scorer, the striker finishing adroitly for his thirteenth goal of the season. But the FFA COE hit back within seconds, substitute Jacob Italiano racing past a couple of half-hearted tackles to score. That prompted a final flurry on the FC goal but the hosts held on, although they did lose Josip Jadric to a red card, a second yellow card offence, after the final whistle. 

Canberra FC: 1. Rory LARKIN, 5. Izach CLEMENTS, 6. Ryan KEIR, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Thomas JAMES, 10. Dominic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 15. Jordan LAMB, 16. Ross COSTANZO, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 21. Nikola BARISIC
Substitutes used: 13. Kye EDWARDS, 14. Josip JADRIC, 19. Michael MENSAH\
FFA COE: 12. Jordan GRIFFITHS, 2. James FLETCHER, 4. Kaleb COX, 5. Joel KING, 6. Kai TREWIN, 9. John ROBERTS, 11. Mirza MURATOVIC, 14. Rahmat AKBARI, 15. Luke CALLEN, 19. Mark MORIC, 21. Melad AHMED
Substitutes used: 7. Jacob ITALIANO, 17. Louis D’ARRIGO
YELLOW CARDS: 13. Kye EDWARDS (Canberra FC), 19. Mark MORIC (FFA COE)
RED CARDS: 14. Josip JADRIC (Canberra FC)

TABLE

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LEADING SCORERS 
23 Stephen DOMENICI (Tigers FC)
15 Philippe BERNABO-MADRID (Canberra Olympic)
13 Thomas JAMES (Canberra FC), Nicolas ABOT (Tigers FC)
12 Jason UGRINIC (Belconnen United)
10 Joshua GULEVSKI (CU Academy)
8 Domenic GIAMPAOLO (Canberra FC), John ROBERTS (FFA COE)
7 Aisosa IHEGIE, Sam SMITH (Belconnen United), 
6 Dustin WELLS (Belconnen United), Jordan TSEKENIS (Canberra Olympic), Daniel BARAC (Tigers FC), Andrew SLAVICH (Tuggeranong United)
5 Bul JUACH (CU Academy), Rahmat AKBARI, Mark MORIC, Mirza MURATOVIC (FFA COE), Nikolaos KALFAS (Tuggeranong United), Matthew WATERS (Woden-Weston FC), Own GOALS
4 Josip JADRIC (Canberra FC), Jeremy HABTEMARIAM (Canberra Olympic), Tomas KRKLEC, Sam WHITHEAR (CU Academy), Ed MCCARTHY, Mark SHIELDS (Monaro Panthers), Bryce BAFFORD, Jaidon SELDON (FFA COE)
3 Nikolas POPOVICH (Belconnen United), Ryan KEIR, Ivan PAVLAK (Canberra FC), Robbie CATTANACH (Canberra Olympic), David CARDER, Daniel FABRIZIO (CU Academy), Louis D’ARRIGO, Jacob ITALIANO (FFA COE), Mitch STEENBERGEN (Gungahlin United), Darian MCGARRY-WATSON (Monaro Panthers), Julian BORGNA, Nahuel GUERRERO, Alex OLORIEGBE, Dejan SANTRAC (Tigers FC), Marco GAYER (Tuggeranong United), Daniel DI-SALVATORE, Goran MILUTNOVIC (Woden-Weston FC)
2 Jonathan REIS*, Toby RICHTER (Belconnen United), Nikola BARISIC (Canberra FC), Daniel COLBERTALDO, Angelo KONSTANTINOU, Tom MCLACHLAN, Nathen MEGIC (Canberra Olympic), Lachlan GRIFFITHS, Niko UJDUR (CU Academy), Ben OBST, Marc TOKICH (FFA COE), Nathan DUCK, Alex MOSCARITOLO, Marcial  MUNOZ, Liam WALSH (Gungahlin United), Martin DENG, Daniel FELIZZI, Sam ROESTBAKKEN (Monaro Panthers), Jeremias IBARRA (Tigers FC), Domenic COLUCCIELLO, Emilio KISTA (Tuggeranong United), Bensah AFIABO (Woden-Weston FC)
1 Taylor BEATON, Matt GRBESA, David KEMP, Goran MUKEVSKI, Cameron REINHART (Belconnen United), Aidan BRUNSKILL, Izach CLEMENTS, Robbie DEELEY, Kye EDWARDS, Ian GRAHAM, Misko NAUMOSKI (Canberra FC), Tim BOBOLAS, Adam NEOU, Michael REEVE, Adam ROGIC, Pat ROSS-MAGEE, Oliver WIEDERKEHR, Victor YANES (Canberra Olympic), Mate BARISIC, Nicolas FELIZZI, Ridwan HANNAN, Tony MADAFFARI, Patrick O’ROURKE (CU Academy), Lachlan BROOK (FFA COE), Frano BLAZEVIC, Jack GREEN, Christian JUNNA, Jason O’DWYER, Regan WALSH (Gungahlin United), Ohio ASIKHIA, Thomas HEWITT, Michael PICCOLO, Tony SPASESKI (Monaro Panthers), Tim ANDERSON, Aiodan BEATMAN (Tuggeranong United), Osman FOFANAH, Hussein FUREJE, Alan GASTON, Goran JOSIFOVSKI, Milan POPOVICH (Tigers FC), Sam SHADBOLT Tuggeranong United), Tim DEHELEAN, Ben GRIEG, Tom HIRST (Woden-Weston FC)

*1 goal for Tuggeranong United

Photo: Lawrence Atkin