NPLW Round 5 Preview
Article: Jeremy Magan
Photo: Anthony Caffery Photography
Canberra Croatia vs Canberra United Academy | Sunday, 16th August – 2:30pm @ Deakin Stadium
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The Match of the Round will undeniably be played in Deakin on Sunday afternoon between two top-four teams halfway through the season. With one less match played, Canberra Croatia is 2nd on the ladder, two points and two spots ahead of Canberra United Academy as Nic Brozinic’s side are yet to lose points this season. The game within the game and perhaps the perfect analogy for Sunday’s fixture will be the duel between two offensive midfielders that have dictated the pace of their teams in the first four weeks; Grace Gill and Sasha Grove. Gill brings the experience, strength and leadership that allowed her squad to win games despite not finding their rhythm early in the season. Sasha Grove’s youthful energy, elegant technique, and great vision has been second to none for CUA and the midfielder has been involved in most of her team’s goals. The performance of the two playmakers will be one of the keys of the game. Scott O’Donnell’s players have created a plethora of opportunities in every game but have not been as lethal as last season. Following a dominant performance against Olympic last week, Canberra Croatia will start the game as favourites, especially if the likes of Alice Churchill and Rhiannon Fensom grace us with the same defensive masterclass put on in O’Connor. My prediction: 3-1 victory for the home side.
Wagga City Wanderers vs Monaro Panthers | Sunday, 16th August – 3pm @ Gissing Oval
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The match between Wagga City Wanderers and Monaro Panthers is a crucial duel at the bottom of the table. The Wanderers are still stuck with zero points on the ladder, despite another solid performance against CUA last week. The Panthers, who have only able to find the nets once in their first three games (plus the half-game they played last week!), are in for a tough game at Gissing Oval. The home side showed great intensity and strength in their midfield since the season started, while Tess Vaccari up front has been a constant threat. They are bound to get a win sooner rather than later if Sam Gray can keep it going. The trip to the Riverina will be the opportunity for Raechel Hardwicke, excellent for the Panthers in 2020, to face her former teammates for the first time after the off-season move. My prediction: 2-0 for the home side.
Gungahlin United vs Tuggeranong United | Sunday, 16th August – 3pm @ Gungahlin Enclosed
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After a week off, Tuggeranong is back with a trip up north to face the best team of 2020 so far. The Gunners have not lost yet and only conceded one goal to Belconnen United last week. Against the Blue Devils, Gungahlin showed great resilience to secure a point, thanks to a goal from their experience midfielder Rachael Corbett. Playing Gungahlin on their turf is never easy, especially with the defensive fortress Kailey Tonini and her back four have built in their first four games. Michael Aldred’s players will hope for an upset, hoping the addition of Westfield W-League player Emma Stanbury to the squad during the BYE can create enough momentum in their ranks to turn the tables around. Predictions: Gungahlin United 2-1 Tuggeranong United
Woden Weston FC vs Belconnen United | Sunday, 16th August – 3:15pm @ Melrose Synthetic
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Hosting the champions is never going to be an easy task, but Woden Weston has demonstrated their character against supposedly better teams this season. On Sunday, Mark Boyd’s players will be eager to deny the Blue Devils a goal a few minutes longer than Gungahlin could last week! The Wanderers were not able to finish their game on Saturday, the referee calling off their visit to Monaro at half time because of the rain. Are Belconnen still favourite to keep their crown this season? Their struggle to find the nets on Saturday after two offensive demonstrations against Monaro and Tuggeranong will be something Ahmed Ugool and his players want to fix immediately. Playing Woden Weston, a team with a strong work ethic that never gives up will be a real test to show they can bounce back and keep up with the Gunners. Predictions: Woden Weston 2-4 Belconnen United
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