The battle of the big cats’ headlines Round 14 in the National Premier League as Monaro Panthers, five points off the top of the table, make the journey to Cooma and Nijong Oval. To take on the defending league champions, Tigers FC.
It’s not the Tigers of 2020 and 2021 that the Panthers will be facing up to as their results have illustrated during this most topsy-turvy of seasons, and yet the return of some of Ryan Grogan’s big guns and the notorious unpredictability of the Nijong playing surface, make this a tough result to call.
Grogan welcomed back defender Christian Junna, top-scorer Josh Gulevski and playmaker Roko Strika to the team that drew 2-2 at Belconnen United in Round 13 and he will be leaning heavily on that trio to make the difference against a Panthers team who are in the title fray.
A late Darren Bailey penalty secured a victory for Monaro over Canberra Olympic at the Riverside Stadium, a vital three points for Frank Cachia and his group following Gungahlin United’s slip-up against West Canberra Wanderers, and they will need to be at their best to keep the pressure on the pair above them.
One of that duo is the league leading Canberra Croatia, the title favourites having increased their lead at the summit of the NPL ladder to three points following a thumping victory in the Croatian derby against O’Connor Knights. Croatia welcomes West Canberra Wanderers to Deakin Stadium under the lights.
Dean Ugrinic’s attack-minded side appear to have rediscovered their goal-scoring zest in the past three weeks, netting four times in successive wins over Belconnen United and the Knights and have looked increasingly impressive in both those victories.
A strong squad throughout, who have enviable depth, Croatia will of course be favourites to claim the three points against the Wanderers and yet will be fully aware of the threat that the team at the bottom of the table can pose.
Wanderers are battling for their NPL lives at present and secured a valuable point in a 2-2 draw with Gungahlin United, following their point gained when holding Monaro Panthers, the week before. They will certainly provide a stern examination of the league leaders credentials and are fired up to spring a surprise.
The O’Connor Knights will be looking for a quick bounce back following their derby day disappointment against Canberra Croatia as they host Belconnen United at O’Connor Enclosed in what promises to be a highly-entertaining affair with both teams having eyes on the top four.
For the Knights there was no disgrace in being beaten by a rampant Croatia at home in Round 13, but they will need to be better in the attacking third if they are to gain anything from the visit of the Blue Devils. Getting their playmaking midfielders, Patrick O’Rourke who leads the Golden Boot chase, and Michael Adams, into the game on a regular basis will be key.
Belconnen were seconds away from what would have been a crucial win over the Tigers at McKellar Park last weekend but were undone as their concentration slipped at the last moment, Alex Wilson levelling for the visiting team and denying Michael Zakoski and his group three priceless points.
That the Blue Devils are just six points off the top four shows they are close to Finals football, but conversely, they are only four points off the foot of the table. If they are to avoid being dragged into a potential relegation scrap, they’ll need to turn those leads into wins.
The latest round of action will conclude on Sunday as Gungahlin United welcome Canberra Olympic to the Australian Institute of Sport and, as per the other three matches in this Round, points are vital for both teams.
The Gunners slipped up in their pursuit of the league title in Round 13 as they were forced to come from behind to simply earn a points against the battling West Canberra Wanderers, but they would have been pleased to see Domenic Giampaolo bag a brace on a rare start for the mercurial goal-getter.
Olympic played their part in an excellent match at the Riverside, scoring a tremendous goal through David McCarron and Head Coach Robbie Cattanach will be hopeful that his main target man, Aisosa Ihegie, will be fit and recovered to play his part in this match. His pace could trouble the Gunners defence.
Matches between this pair are usually entertaining and goal-laden and we can expect this one to be no different.
FIXTURES
ROUND 14
Saturday 23 July
O’Connor Knights v Belconnen United (O’Connor Enclosed, 15:00)
Tigers FC v Monaro Panthers (Nijong Oval, 15:00)
Canberra Croatia v West Canberra Wanderers (Deakin Stadium, 17:00)
Sunday 24 July
Gungahlin United v Canberra Olympic (AIS Grass, 15:00)
TABLE
P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | ||
1 | Canberra Croatia | 13 | 9 | 3 | 1 | +22 | 30 |
2 | Gungahlin United | 13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | +14 | 27 |
3 | Monaro Panthers | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | +15 | 25 |
4 | O’Connor Knights | 13 | 5 | 2 | 6 | -7 | 17 |
5 | Canberra Olympic | 13 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -12 | 13 |
6 | Tigers FC | 13 | 2 | 6 | 5 | -6 | 12 |
7 | Belconnen United | 13 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -17 | 11 |
8 | West Canberra Wanderers | 13 | 1 | 4 | 8 | -9 | 7 |