NPL1 Round 11 Preview
Contributed by Ryan Doyle
Riverina Rhinos vs Belconnen United | Saturday, 5pm @ Solar Mad Stadium
This week Belconnen make the trip out to Solar Mad Stadium to take on last placed Riverina Rhinos. The Rhinos are still yet to record a point this season after nine matches and will need an upset to overcome the Blue Devils as they seek a top four spot. When these teams last met in round two at McKellar Park it was a four-goal defeat for the visiting Rhinos. Despite a tough first half last week against Monaro, the Rhinos stepped it up at the back in the second half to shut them out, and a positive to take from the game was another lovely goal from Keith Jackson who continues to be a bright spot on the season.
United will have been pleased with how they came back from 2-0 down at half time to beat Woden Weston 4-2 last weekend and climb back into the top four. This clash gives them a good chance to continue racking up points ahead of a tough run home to finish the season. After this outing United have all home fixtures until round 17 though, so a good performance here will go a long way to building some momentum down the stretch. The Rhinos will be keen to impress at home though given it is their first hit-out in Griffith since round six.
Monaro Panthers vs Tigers FC
The Panthers are tied for fourth but sit in fifth due to goal difference and come into this game off the back of a strong 4-1 win against the Rhinos at Riverside last week. Despite a barn-storming opening to the game the Panthers did not score in the second 45, but the form of Josh Gulevski and his fellow forwards will have been encouraging for Jimmy Kanaridis. They are looking for their first win over Tigers having lost in the early rounds of the Federation Cup and in round two. A win here would be a massive boost to their top four aspirations as the season approaches crunch time.
Tigers will be keen to make it three from three over Panthers, but will be doing it without Christian Junna after her was sent off in the win against Tuggeranong last weekend. Nico Abot scored twice in that game to firm up his lead in the Golden Boot race and will be important again at Riverside. If Tigers win this they can be seven points clear of Canberra Olympic by the time they kick off their clash with Gungahlin on Sunday, putting the pressure firmly on one of their competitors for the Premiership. With a monstrous clash with Hume now beckoning on the horizon in the FFA Cup, Gaby Wilk will be hoping his men can begin shoring up first spot earlier rather than later especially with games to come against Belconnen, Canberra Olympic, Canberra FC and Gungahlin.
Gungahlin United vs Canberra Olympic
A big old second v third meeting takes place at the AIS on Sunday afternoon as Gungahlin United host Canberra Olympic. Olympic are the only team to have beaten Gungahlin this season in the league and the fixture is not only important for the shape of the top four but the Premiership race too. A win for Olympic will allow them to keep pace with Tigers for top spot as the race heats up and could be within a point if Monaro pick up a win on the Saturday. But a loss for Frank Cachia’s side will put them just two points ahead of Gungahlin who will have a game in hand, and potentially allow others to catch up too. Their last outing was a 2-0 loss to Canberra FC in their rescheduled meeting and before that a 4-1 loss to Tigers in Cooma, so they will be keen to get back on the horse in this outing and replicate their win back in round two.
Gungahlin have a chance to pull right up with Olympic if they can snag a win here, but it will not be easy against Cachia’s side. United had the week off with a bye last week and like Olympic will be fresh having not played since prior to the Federation Cup. Marcial Munoz’s side have an excellent record at the AIS so far this year having won four games and drawn once, conceding just twice while scoring 16 goals. Their last outing was the 5-0 thrashing of Canberra FC here, a result that put the league on notice. United have been playing good football but will need to be at their best in what shapes as a thrilling match.
Canberra FC v Tuggeranong United - Rescheduled
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