NPL Round 7 Preview
Gungahlin United v Riverina Rhinos | Saturday, 25th May – 3pm @ AIS Grass 1
Gungahlin will be aiming to continue their streak of four games undefeated when they take on the Rhinos at the AIS on Saturday afternoon. Marcial Munoz’s team stormed to a 5-0 win over Woden-Weston at Melrose last week, aided in large part by Riley Angelosante’s impressive four goal haul that moved him up to third in the Golden Boot table. United are rolling after a round one bye and loss to Canberra Olympic in round two, picking up three wins and a draw since. After starting the season six points below zero, a win here could drag them right back in touch with the top four approaching the halfway mark of the campaign. They have been in good scoring form of late and will be hard to stop here for the league’s leakiest backline.
The Rhinos fell to a fifth loss in a row on Saturday, downed 3-0 at home by a resurgent Canberra FC. The second half dismissal of Joe Preece means that he will be unavailable for this weekend’s clash, a big loss for the visitors. Held scoreless once again, they will be up against the stingiest defence in the competition on Saturday, but they will take heart from previous results against Gungahlin. After struggling in the early rounds of 2018, the Rhinos travelled to Canberra in round 10 and knocked off Gungahlin at the AIS thanks to a strike from midfielder Artur Rattel. This is a new look side now, but Gabriel Abdala will know that his side can be capable of a similar result this weekend. If they can’t pull off a result here and remain pointless after seven rounds, the prospect of relegation will seem a little closer.
Tuggeranong United v Belconnen United | Saturday, 25th May – 3pm @ Hawker Football Centre
Tuggeranong United and Belconnen United will clash on unfamiliar territory on Saturday afternoon as they battle at Hawker Football Centre. Both sides are looking to rebound from losses, with Tuggeranong heavily beaten by Monaro at Riverside on Saturday night and Belconnen falling to Canberra Olympic on Sunday afternoon. Tuggeranong find themselves in a less than ideal position after six rounds, siting second last on the table with just three points, only ahead of the Rhinos. Aisosa Ihegie got on the scoresheet in his first game back last weekend, but United struggled to impose themselves on large parts of the game and will need to be better this weekend. Goran Mukevski is in doubt for Saturday after being substituted in the first half against Monaro and there may be some re-shuffling for Mitch Stevens to get a close to full-strength side out on the park.
Belconnen fell victim to goals either side of half-time at O’Connor but put in a largely strong performance and should fancy themselves here against a short-handed Tuggeranong outfit. They will face this test on synthetic though, a surface that has hardly been kind to them this season. United were beaten 2-0 in round one by Woden-Weston down at Melrose, and then on this very pitch by ANU in their FFA Cup round six match earlier this month. But Tuggeranong are not a synthetic team either, and this game may be a case of who acclimatises quicker. A win here for Belconnen keeps them firmly entrenched in the top four race, while a loss would risk them being drawn right back down into the fight below.
Canberra FC v Tigers FC | Sunday, 26th May – 3pm @ Deakin Stadium
Deakin plays host to a massive clash on Sunday afternoon when Tigers FC pay a visit to Canberra FC. Tigers are flying so far this season, undefeated in all five of their outings so far but now face a tough stretch before the halfway mark of Canberra FC, Gungahlin United and Canberra Olympic. They have been the best team in the competition to start the season, but Gaby Wilk will be wary that this fixture has not been happy hunting for them. In round six last year they were eviscerated at Deakin to the tune of 7-2, before a Preliminary Final beating by five goals again sent them packing from the competition. Wilk’s side have a different look this year though, particularly at the back, and they will be ready to face the challenge of the resurgent Champions.
Canberra FC meanwhile started slow but have picked up, and after winning their last two are back in a position to make a run for top four. Daniel Barac is firing well up front and they have looked much better defensively in their last two outings than in previous games. But Tigers will be a different kettle of fish, having conceded only four goals and averaging three goals a game up top. Ian Graham will be in doubt after a leg injury last game, but Luka Ujdur will have been pleased otherwise by a controlled display in Griffith. This clash marks the start of a big with an FFA Cup tie against ANU before the bye, and Ujdur will be keen for his side to be on the up when they hit their week off.
Canberra Olympic v Woden-Weston | Sunday, 26th May – 3pm @ O’Connor Enclosed
Canberra Olympic bounced back strongly from their loss to Monaro as they did enough to see off Belconnen United last weekend, and this time welcome a struggling Woden-Weston side to O’Connor. Stephen Domenici scored twice in that win and he is getting back to form after a suspension, while the backline kept their first clean sheet since round two and third of the season. A win here and favourable result over at Deakin would allow Frank Cachia’s side to close right up on Tigers at the top of the table as we approach the halfway mark of the season.
Woden-Weston started brightly but have faded badly since then, dropping their last three matches and sitting back in sixth spot on the table. They have scored just five times in those outings, but the talented group still has the potential to turn it around. Last week they were thrashed by Gungahlin United, going down by two goals inside the opening five minutes and never having a chance to reverse the script. They need to avoid similar lapses of concentration here and shore up at the back against a talented forward line. If they can hold strong at the back and then push out on the counter, they will have the chance to catch Canberra Olympic out but will need to make the most of any chances that come their way.
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.