NPLW Round 13 Preview
Tuggeranong United v Belconnen United | Saturday, 3pm @ Kambah
Tuggeranong host Belconnen in the only Saturday game of the round, looking for their fifth win of the season. United were composed and efficient in a 2-1 victory last week over Monaro, completing the season double, but face a different beast this time out in Belconnen. At McKellar in round four they were beaten 8-0, but have improved as the season has gone on and the squad has returned to something approaching full fitness. Sophie Bui and Alice Linn netted in the win last week, and Linn provides an edge of experience and physicality that can prove useful against a side like Belconnen.
United recorded a strong win against Gungahlin last weekend but still haven’t fully broken away from the chasing pack. They are only two points ahead of Canberra FC, albeit with a game in hand but with a vastly superior goal difference. A win here keeps them out the front of the pack but top two looks almost assured given they hold a lead over the Academy with three games in hand. This is a game that the visitors will expect to win, but they will be up against a different, and improved Tuggeranong side so need to ensure they go into it at full speed.
Wagga City Wanderers v Canberra FC | Sunday, 2pm @ Gissing Oval
Fresh off a win over the Canberra United Academy on Thursday night, Nik Brozinic and his Canberra FC side will head to Wagga Wagga for their round 13 encounter with the Wanderers. They outplayed the Academy, pressing them and forcing them into errors, and Brozinic will be hoping for a similar performance on Sunday afternoon. Now just two points behind Belconnen, although having played two extra matches, Canberra FC are in a strong spot and can pretty much lock down a spot in the finals with a win here. Grace Gill missed Thursday’s clash and will be in doubt for this one as well, but Vanessa Ryan started and was a menace out wide and barring rest the side should remain largely unchanged.
Wagga City troubled the Academy at times last weekend but didn’t have the firepower to match them across 90 minutes and may run into similar problems here. The last time they took on Canberra FC they were beaten 13-2 at Deakin, so will be hoping for a different result here. Home ground advantage is sure to help, something they will hold for the remainder of the season but it will still be a tough match to pull a result from. A point here though would allow them to jump Monaro into seventh spot and break away from the six-point group that also features Canberra Olympic.
Gungahlin United v Woden-Weston | Sunday, 2pm @ Gungahlin Enclosed
Sunday’s clash between Gungahlin United and Woden-Weston shapes as something of a six-pointer for lack of a better term, with plenty to gain and lose for both sides If Gungahlin can pull out a victory, it bodes well for their top four hopes, and all but shuts the door on those of Woden who would in that case be nine points behind heading into the final stretch of matches. But a Woden-Weston win would bring them within three points of United in fourth, with a game in hand to be played next weekend. United were beaten well by Belconnen at McKellar Park in round 12 and will want to bounce back with a strong performance. They have now lost two of their last three, albeit to Belconnen United and Canberra FC, and with home ground advantage will be confident of a result here.
Woden sat last weekend out with a bye but before that were beaten by Canberra FC after their Federation Cup defeat to Belconnen United. Their last league win came at the start of June in a strong victory over Monaro but since then have only tasted defeat in a tough run of games. They have shared the spoils with Gungahlin so far this season; a 4-0 win over them in the Federation Cup quarterfinals turned around in last-ditch 4-3 Gungahlin win back in round four. This is the first time they will meet at Gungahlin’s home though and the Wanderers will need to be at their best to keep their finals flame burning.
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.