Canberra Croatia’s hopes of playing finals in the inaugural season of the Australian Championships is on the line, as the side prepares to travel to Melbourne to take on Victorian NPL side Preston Lions.
Dean Ugrinic’s side head to the Victorian capital off the back of a 4-1 defeat at the hands of a clinical Avondale FC side.
Preston meanwhile, picked up their first win of the tournament, with a 3-1 win away to NWS Spirit, and will be full of confidence, playing in front of their home crowd against Croatia.
In a huge blow for Preston, the side will be without their captain Luc Jeggo, after the defender suffered a serious leg injury last weekend.
The previous matchup between the two saw Croatia come away with a stunning 3-2 win over Preston, with a second half brace from Striker Maxx Green overturning the half-time deficit.
Croatia will have their work cut out for them, at both ends of the pitch. Star Striker Jason Romero netted twice in the first half against Spirit, while goalkeeper Ryan Scott was instrumental in keeping the opposition out and would’ve had a clean sheet, had it not been for a spectacular goal from Simon Nicholas in stoppage time.
There is plenty on the line for both sides. Preston currently sit in second place in Group C with four points, while Croatia are in fourth with three points.
A loss would rule out Croatia’s chances of playing finals, while a win would launch the side back into second place ahead of Round Six showdown with NWS Spirit at Deakin Stadium on Sunday 16 November.
MATCHDAY SQUAD*
1. Seb ARRANZ, 2. Robert TKATCHENCKO, 3. Shandon WHITEHEAD, 4. Matt GRBESA, 5. Jack PERAIC-CULLEN, 7. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 8. Keegan VUCETIC, 10. Nick PRATEZINA, 11. Lukman AHMED-SHAIBU, 13. Riley ZSUZSA, 15. David SESELJA, 18, Marko JADRIC, 19. Tony SPASESKI, 21, Michael PICCOLO, 22. Maxx GREEN, 23. Jason MATESA, 47. Yoshida SHOKI
*subject to change
MATCH DETAILS
Sunday 9 November 2025
Australian Championship
Preston Lions v Canberra Croatia
(Genis Steel Stadium, Melbourne, 13:00)
LIVE ON SBS ON DEMAND
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Avondale SC | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 8 |
| 2 | Preston Lions | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 5 |
| 3 | NWS Spirit | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 5 |
| 4 | Canberra Croatia | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 11 | -5 | 3 |
