NPL1 Round 12 Preview
Belconnen United v Tigers FC | Saturday, 3pm @ McKellar Park
It’s bounce back time for Belconnen United after they were upset by the Rhinos in Griffith last weekend. They are firmly embroiled in the top four fight and three points here would go a long way to securing their spot, but they are up against the ladder-leading Tigers. Finn Jurak is unlikely to play after spending time in Griffith Hospital after a nasty clash in that outing, so Steve Forshaw will be looking elsewhere for a custodian for this matchup. It’s a nice return home to McKellar for the Blue Devils, who will enjoy home ground advantage for much of their run to the finish line.
Tigers meanwhile slipped up in their race to the Premiership, dropping points at Riverside but at least taking a share thanks to a brace from Mark Shields. For the remainder of the season they will be without Golden Boot leading striker Nico Abot, who has now headed to Thailand to further his career, so Shields’ goals will be even more vital now. Their defence will have to be ship-shape, conceding seven times in their last four games after only allowing five in the previous six, against a Belconnen attack that can be dangerous when it is locked in.
Woden-Weston v Riverina Rhinos | Saturday, 3pm @ Melrose Synthetic
Woden will be rested coming off the bye, but in the back of their minds will be the 2-0 lead they had over Belconnen at McKellar Park two weeks ago. That was brutally turned out, with four second half goals to Belconnen allowing them to waltz away with three points that appeared to be Woden’s after 45 minutes. But this week they will need to get back in the winners circle if they are to be back in the race for top four. The attacking quartet of Alex Oloriegbe, Martin Deng, Deng Aleer Deng and Michael Adams looked dangerous against the Blue Devils and they will have the chance to fire here against what is, by numbers, the worst backline in the league.
Gabrial Abdala’s side got off the mark last weekend with their victory over Belconnen United in Griffith, and will have their sights set on another three points at Melrose. When these teams met earlier in the season there was only a solitary goal to separate them and the Rhinos had chances of their own. In recent weeks though they have been buoyed by the form of Keith Jackson, who has been a shining light up top and netted a brace in the win last weekend. Abdala may fancy his side to pick up another three points, and doing so gives them the chance to turn relegation into a dogfight rather than a seeming procession.
Canberra FC v Monaro Panthers | Sunday, 3pm @ Deakin Stadium
When Monaro hosted Canberra FC at Riverside this year they were up 2-0 at the break after a dazzling 45 minutes, before being overrun by the visitors as they stormed home. This weekend, Jimmy Kanaridis will be hoping for a full 90-minute performance from his charges to take a valuable three points. The Panthers find themselves riding high in third spot on the table after a draw with Tigers last weekend and can put themselves into some clear air with victory here. The forward pack has looked dangerous over the last couple of weeks and will have the chance to run at a Canberra FC team who are only just returning from their overseas tournament.
Luka Ujdur’s side headed overseas off the back of their Cup Final loss to Tigers, but only days prior had done enough to beat Canberra Olympic 2-0 in a rescheduled round 10 match. That has them sitting in sixth place on 13 points, but level with fourth placed Gungahlin and only a point behind the Panthers. Canberra FC had a tough time on their travels but will be better for the experience and are likely relishing a return to action. Whether they hit the ground running could prove to be a telling point for the back-end of their season, with a testing series of matches approaching in the coming weeks.
Tuggeranong United v Gungahlin United | Sunday, 3pm @ Kambah
Tuggeranong approach this game off a break after their clash with Canberra FC was rescheduled and will be fresh, but knowing that they need to rebound from the loss to Tigers a few weeks back. Sam Isabella made his debut in that game and scored as well, and his pace and finishing will be so important here against a side with the equal least number of goals conceded. Mitch Stevens will have his team ready to go and after last Sunday’s result will know that Gungahlin will be approaching this game head-on. Facing a team that copped a battering like they did can simultaneously be the best- and worst-case scenario, so Tuggeranong must be wary.
Despite scoring inside a minute Gungahlin were soundly beaten at the AIS by Canberra Olympic and they will want a rebound here to keep pace with those around them in the top four. They didn’t play particularly badly, but Olympic were on another level on the day and finished their chances. Marcial Munoz will be wary of his side getting left behind if they do not pick up full points, and Tuggeranong will be only a point behind them if they emerge victorious. It’s crunch time now and with a succession of tough fixtures ahead only maximum points will suffice in this race for finals.
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