The race for the National Premier League Men’s title is well and truly going down to the wire. With only two rounds left, there are three teams in with a shout of finishing the regular season on top.
GUNGAHLIN UNITED
Current Position: 1st
Last 5: LDWWW
Next Up: R20 – O’Connor Knights (A), R21 – Tigers FC (H)
Key Player: Aidan Munford
Gungahlin has been the benchmark team in the NPL this season, having been on top of the ladder every round thus far, except for Round 10 when they temporarily dropped to third after a loss to the Panthers. With star striker Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu having departed the club for a professional contract overseas, Gungahlin has only managed to find the back of the net seven times in their last four outings. That may seem like a good return on its own, but in the four games prior they scored eleven times with Ahmed-Shaibu on the scoresheet in three of the four games. They top the league for goals scored with 48. Goalkeeper Aidan Munford has been a standout for the side, marshalling what is the best defence in the league on paper, with 10 clean sheets to date. He will need to be in top form in the remaining rounds, as his team comes up against an O’Connor Knights side pushing for back-to-back NPL titles and a Tigers side desperate to play finals.
O’CONNOR KNIGHTS
Current Position: 2nd
Last 5: WDDWW
Next Up: R20 – Gungahlin United (H), R21 – Canberra Olympic (A)
Key Player: Micheal Adams
The defending league champions and 2024 Cup Winners find themselves in second place, a solitary point adrift of first place, and a historic second league title in just their third season back in the top-flight. Captain Micheal Adams leads the side from the front, being equal leading goalscorer for the side with seven in his eighteen appearances but is also instrumental in the build up of play. His ability to find space where there seemingly isn’t any while effortlessly moving around the pitch has been crucial to the Knights’ success. A derby win against Canberra Croatia gives them a much-needed boost ahead of what is a big run to the finish. They take on fellow league title hopefuls Gungahlin United at home this weekend, before finishing the season “away” to Canberra Olympic.
CANBERRA CROATIA
Current Position: 3rd
Last 5: LWWLW
Next Up: R20 – Canberra Olympic (H), R21 – Monaro Panthers (A)
Key Player: Atiya Waraga
After a sluggish start to the season, in which they won just the one game in their first five, Canberra Croatia rediscovered their form as championship winning duo Dean Ugrinic and Andy Rakic returned to the club mid-season, and they are once again challenging for the title. Young forward Atiya Waraga has been in incredible form in his breakout season, with 13 goals in 18 games so far. With Ahmed-Shaibu having moved away, Waraga could find himself leading the golden boot by the conclusion of Round 21.
A match against Canberra Olympic this weekend could give Croatia a boost in their push for yet another league title, as their long-time rival currently find themselves in a relegation battle. They end the season with a trip to the Riverside, taking on a Monaro Panther side, who currently have an outside chance of making the finals.
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