Canberra Croatia emerged as champions in the NPL Men’s under-23 competition, defeating Gungahlin United in a thrilling penalty shootout at Deakin Stadium after the pair shared four goals in a pulsating 2-2 draw after extra-time.
The Gunners fashioned a glorious chance inside the opening minute as Sebastian Woods was freed over the top of the Croatia defence, but he elected to pass rather than shoot when well-placed in front of goal. Woods then forced a stop from Jason Matesa as the underdogs started brightly.
However, it was the League Champions who took the lead with a beautifully crafted goal in the fourteenth minute. Riley Zsuzsa was instrumental, playing a one-two and accelerating in on goal, before teeing up Owen Learmonth when facing Heath Ilitch one-on-one, allowing his teammate a tap-in from close range.
Croatia carved open a second wonderful chance ten minutes later when a spell of intricate, neat approach work, culminated in centre-back Marcos Da Silva controlling a ball at the top of the penalty box but, after a lung-bursting urge up the park, blazing his shot over the crossbar.
And Gunners made them pay by equalising with five minutes of the opening stanza remaining. Goalkeeper Jason Matesa was adjudged to have up-ended the onrushing Ayham Nasser and Charlie D’Addario levelled matters from the resultant penalty, although Matesa got a good hand onto his low shot.
The first-half ended with a fiery altercation between Da Silva and Woods with the latter receiving a straight red card for his part in the fray and Learmonth following him down the tunnel after being given a second yellow card for his involvement in the aftermath.
That set the scene for a tighter second-half with opportunities at a premium for both, Gungahlin twisting first with their substitutions, hoping to spark some more attack in the absence of their leading scorer, Woods.
And their bravery paid dividends when they were awarded a second penalty of the match with twenty minutes remaining. Croatia were penalised for a handball inside the area and Samuel Thomson coolly slotted the resultant spot-kick home, sending Matesa the wrong way in the process.
Croatia upped the pressure, Zsusza putting a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area into the wall, and they drew level with three minutes to play. James Godding prodded a ball into the path of Ivica Majetic who swept a superb finish beyond Ilitch and into the far corner.
The tense encounter would go the distance with the dreaded penalty shootout needed to decide the victor. Heroics from Croatia shotstopper Matesa, saving two penalties, and the decisive strike from Zsusza saw Croatia prevail as champions.
MATCH STATISTICS
Saturday 21 September
GRAND FINAL
Canberra Croatia 2 (Learmonth 14’, Majetic 87’) Gungahlin United 2 (D’Addario 41’ (p), Thomson 70’ (p)) – after extra time. Canberra Croatia w0n 4-2 on penalties.
Canberra Croatia: 23. Jason MATESA, 2. Marcos DA SILVA (17. Jebediah JEFFERY), 5. Luka JUKIC, 6. Ivica MAJETIC, 8. Anthony RAKIC (12. Xavier CUSSEN), 10. James GODDING, 13. Riley ZSUZSA, 14. Marcus SUBASIC, 19. Andrija RAKIC, 22. Nikola CELEBIJA, 26. Owen LEARMONTH
Substitutes not used: 1. Joshua SMITH, 9. Darcey MIDDLETON, 16. Aston GOODWIN
Gungahlin United: 77. Heath ILITCH, 30. Nikita BYRNES, 31. Antonio CHANG (40. Stephen CERNI), 33. Jayden RIPPON (29. Nicholas KATSOULIS), 34. Ayham NASSER (44. Fabian OLIVARES), 35. Samuel THOMSON (27. Zia BAIRD), 36. Sebastian WOODS, 45. Charlie D’ADDARIO, 46. Deacon PALOMBI, 80. William MANALO (28. Sam HEWITT), 88. Jacob KITE
DISCIPLINE
Yellow Cards: 2. Marcos DA SILVA (Canberra Croatia), 27. Zia BAIRD, 29. Nicholas KATSOULIS, 80. William MANOLO, 88. Jacob KITE (Gungahlin United)
Red Cards: 26. Owen LEARMONTH (Canberra Croatia), 36. Sebastian WOODS (Gungahlin United)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jordan KING
Assistant Referees: Jacob MARTIN, Cailyn LOVEDAY
Fourth Official: Harrison CRACKNELL
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: 6. Ivica MAJETIC (Canberra Croatia)
