Canberra Croatia have experienced big occasions before. A Capital Football record haul of trophies, including a twenty-sixth top-flight title secured in dominant fashion this season, is proof of their undoubted quality. And yet this might be their biggest test of all.
A trip to Melbourne is a daunting prospect. A fixture against an outstanding Avondale FC is even more so. Add in the fact that Avondale are the current National Premier League Victoria Champions and the task becomes the proverbial mountain to climb for the capital’s finest.
But football is a fickle beast. We know upsets can happen. We see it all the time, in every competition, at every level. A slice of fortune here, a piece of magic there, a united front in all departments of the pitch, a rugged determination to grit and grind your way to an unexpected success.
Croatia have talent. Maxx Green and Nick Pratezina scored freely during the Capital Football NPL campaign. There’s craft and guile behind them too. And experience. They don’t come more passionate, and knowledgeable, than central defensive lynchpin and club legend Matt Grbesa.
New faces have a chance to shine. Shandon Whitehead, signed from Tigers FC and a winner of the Grand Final against Monaro Panthers a few weeks back, beings defensive steel. As does Robert Tkatchenko. A versatile player who can be deployed in the back or in midfield.
Further forward we see the return of Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu. The American striker has scored a Grand Final goal for Croatia, one in this match might be immeasurably more memorable if it brings the surprise outcome.
Do not discount the Japanese midfield playmaker, Yoshida Shoki. A standout in the Gungahlin United outfit this season, creative in assisting others, an eye for goal, and deadly over a set-piece. Might this be his stage?
At the back, Seb Arranz. A young goalkeeper who has honed his craft at local rivals, the noisy neighbours, O’Connor Knights, before heading to the Shire and a stint with Sutherland Sharks. Agile, athletic, effective. He must stand tall when the whistle blows. But so must all his mates.
For if Croatia are to stun the Australian football community they will need everyone to shine. The substitutes, the impact players or finishers, are as important as the rest and with the cerebral Dean Ugrinic pulling the strings, expect a game plan that will give them a go.
Canberra should be behind them. So, toss aside your club allegiances for a moment. Back our representatives. For they will dream, and we all should with them.
MATCHDAY SQUAD
1. Seb ARRANZ, 2. Robert TKATCHENCKO, 3. Shandon WHITEHEAD, 4. Matt GRBESA, 5. Jack PERAIC-CULLEN, 7. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 10. Nick PRATEZINA, 11. Lukman AHMED-SHAIBU, 12. Nikola JADRIC, 13. Riley ZSUZSA, 15. David SESELJA, 18, Marko JADRIC, 19. Tony SPASESKI, 21, Michael PICCOLO, 22. Maxx GREEN, 23. Jason MATESA, 47. Yoshida SHOKI
MATCH DETAILS
Sunday 12 October
Australian Championship
Avondale FC v Canberra Croatia
(Avenger Park, Melbourne, 16:30)
LIVE OB SBS ON DEMAND
