2020 NPLW Round 1 Preview
By Jeremy Magan
Belconnen United vs Monaro Panthers | Saturday, 18th July – 3pm @ Hawker Football Centre
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The 2020 NPLW season kicks off with a battle of two new coaches, as Belconnen United host Monaro Panthers at Hawker Football Centre on Saturday afternoon. The expectations are high on United's young coach, Ahmed Ugool, and despite a few changes to their squad, the Blue Devils remain the team to beat this season. A vital three points here would put BUFC on the right track of claiming their tenth straight premiership.
After finishing seventh last season, the Panthers are hoping new head coach Paul Townsley and several interstate recruits can see the Queanbeyan based side climb back up the ladder in 2020. Monaro will be out to prove they can challenge for a top four spot this season, and there is no better way to prove that than by knocking off the highly-fancied Belconnen side. The Panthers lost both encounters last year, conceding 10 goals and failing to get on the scoresheet, so a daunting challenge awaits.
Gungahlin United FC vs Canberra Olympic FC | Sunday, 19th July – 3pm @ Gungahlin Enclosed 1
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The Gunners and their coach Diego Iglesias arrive in 2020 full of ambition, with a core squad unchanged and the feeling that their 2019 NPLW season ended too soon. Having finished fourth at the end of the regular season, they lost in their first finals game 4-2 to Canberra United Academy. The side will be out to prove they can mix it with the Canberra Croatia and Belconnen United this season and should be considered a serious threat in the competition.
After finishing at the bottom of the ladder in 2019, few would have predicted that Canberra Olympic would be a team to watch this season, but coach Andrew Woodman has recruited smartly and the side looks primed and ready to shake up the competition. Any team led upfront by Canberra United legend Ash Sykes is a threat, so expect a few goals on Sunday afternoon.
Tuggeranong United vs Canberra United Academy | Sunday, 19th July – 3.10pm @ Kambah 201
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From wooden spooners to sixth place in 2019, Tuggeranong United has continued to improve over the past couple of season and Michael Aldred expects his side to take the next step in 2020 and challenge for a finals spot. Facing the Academy in Round 1, after losing twice to them last year (6-0, 3-0), will give the Tuggies a good indication of how far they have come.
Canberra Academy United will, as every year, be expected to fight for the top spots in 2020. Head coach Scott O’Donnell has Westfield W-League experience in his young squad with Hayley Taylor-Young returning to lead the side. Anything less than three points would be a disappointing result for CUA.
Woden Weston vs Canberra Croatia | Sunday, 19th July – 3.15pm @ Melrose Synthetic (Pearce 2)
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Woden Weston FC just missed out on the finals last year by one point, after failing to win the last game of the season. That should be motivation enough for Mark Boyd’s players to come out firing on Sunday afternoon. Facing a team they failed to beat in 2019 (0-0, 0-2) sounds like the perfect way to show their ambition.
Canberra Croatia ended 2019 with a dramatic loss in extra time to archrivals Belconnen United in the Grand Final, so the club needs no extra motivation in 2020. Nik Brozinic is adamant that his team is ready to get one better this year. Their redemption journey starts on Sunday.
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