The Australian Championship comes to Canberra this weekend as Canberra Croatia host their first match in Group C with the visit of Preston Lions to Deakin Stadium in the National Capital.
After a gallant display in their opening match of the competition, going down 1-3 to National Premier League Victoria Champions Avondale FC, with the match-clinching goa not arriving until thirty seconds from the end of four minutes of time added on, Croatia are back home and raring to go against another of the Championship’s Foundation clubs.
Dean Ugrinic handed debuts to four new players last weekend, and that quartet of Shandon Whitehead, Robert Tkatchenko, Seb Arranz, and goalscorer Yoshida Shoki, will get a first taste of Deakin Stadium in Croatia colours, although all will be familiar with the venue from their previous clubs.
The Lions meanwhile had to settle for a point on their tournament debut, NWS Spirt equalising in the 93rd minute at Genis Steel Stadium in Melbourne to make sure the honours were even in a 1-1 draw.
Croatia are yet to gran a win against interstate opposition in wither the NPL Finals Series or the Australia Cup but are a tough proposition in front of their own supporters having enjoyed some memorable matches on the Deakin Stadium turf.
It’s still too early in the competition to get a feel for which clubs will be genuine contenders at this level, a raft of new signings across the board meaning that many of the players involved are still coming to terms with new teammates and new environments.
Preston Lions are one of the oldest clubs in Australia, being founded in 1947, and being a force to be reckoned with since then, supported by an avid set of fans who will no doubt be out in numbers this weekend.
Historic moments and Canberra Croatia go hand-in-hand, and this weekend will bring another for their ever-expanding litany of footballing milestones. Don’t miss this!
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
*subject to change
MATCH DETAILS
Sunday 19 October 2025
Australian Championship
Canberra Croatia v Preston Lions
(Deakin Stadium, Canberra, 13:00)
TICKETS: Buy Canberra Croatia FC vs Preston Lions FC tickets | INTIX
LIVE ON SBS ON DEMAND
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Avondale SC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | NWS Spirit | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Preston Lions | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Canberra Croatia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
