A repeat of the recent Australia Cup Qualifying tie between Tigers FC and Canberra Croatia headlines Round 3 of the Capital Football National Premier League, as the pair meet at the Australian Institute of Sport on Saturday afternoon.
There have been 162 goals scored in the 36 matches played in all competitions between these teams, average of almost 4.5 goals per game and the cup tie didn’t disappoint in this respect, six goals in keeping with the general chaotic nature of matches between these two giants of the local scene.
Tigers bounced back from the cup loss to inflict a 3-0 defeat on Tuggeranong United at Greenway Enclosed, Ali Efe getting the desired response from his outfit, whilst Croatia were beaten 2-4 at home by Gungahlin United, a reverse that means they have dropped three points off the early pacesetters.
The Tigers have won only one of the last eight meetings between the two teams but will be chomping at the bit to reverse that and gain a modicum of revenge for their cup setback at the Riverside Stadium in Queanbeyan.
The reigning League Champions got their belated campaign off to the perfect start last weekend, a Round 2 victory for O’Connor Knights at the Riverside Stadium against Monaro Panthers being the perfect set-up for their first home outing of 2024 as Tuggeranong United travel to O’Connor Enclosed.
A brace of goals from Aisosa Ihegie bookended what was a quintessential Knights’ performance. No nonsense in defence, creative in midfield, and clinically taking both of the limited opportunities that fell their way. In essence, a championship display from a team riding high on confidence.
Tuggeranong meanwhile are still searching for their first goal of the season, having been held goalless in successive losses to both Gungahlin United and Tigers FC. Worryingly, they have leaked nine goals in the process, and will need to fid a solution to that defensive fragility.
It has been a real baptism of fire for Yoogali SC as they take their first tentative steps in the rarefied atmosphere of the NPL, a chastening pair of results welcoming them to the top tier, but they return to the relative comforts of home for Round 3 as Monaro Panthers make the journey to the Solar Mad Stadium.
Being on the wrong end of a Canberra Olympic siege in Round 2, Yoogali must pick themselves up off the canvas for their second home match of the campaign, seeking to build on the good moments that they showed in limited patches at O’Connor Enclosed.
Defensively, the team need to tighten the ship. Ten goals conceded in the opening brace of games does not make for pretty reading, and with the Panthers smarting from a home loss to O’Connor Knights, the task does not get any easier for the men from Griffith.
Canberra Olympic meanwhile will be seeking a continuation of the form they showed in ripping asunder Yoogali at O’Connor Enclosed in Round 2, as they make the trip further North to tackle Gungahlin United at the Australian Institute of Sport in what, traditionally, has always been an entertaining encounter.
Both teams claimed big wins in differing circumstances last weekend as Gunners roared to a 4-2 win over Canberra Croatia ant Deakin Stadium, and Canberra Olympic smashed seven goals past Yoogali SC.
This match is guaranteed entertainment! There have been eighty-one goals scored in the twenty league games played between the teams and a further twelve in four cup and finals fixtures, so do not expect a 0-0. Indeed, the last six matches played as Gunners’ home fixtures in the series have featured an astonishing thirty-two goals!
FIXTURES
ROUND 3
Saturday 20 April
Tigers FC v Canberra Croatia (AIS, 14:45)
O’Connor Knights v Tuggeranong United (O’Connor Enclosed, 15:00)
Sunday 21 April
Yoogali SC v Monaro Panthers (Solar Mad Stadium, 13:15)
Gungahlin United v Canberra Olympic (AIS, 15:00)
All matches are streamed live on BarTV Sports.
TABLE
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Gungahlin United | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 6 |
| 2 | Tigers FC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 3 | Canberra Olympic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 3 |
| 4 | Monaro Panthers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 |
| 5 | Canberra Croatia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 3 |
| 6 | O’Connor Knights | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 7 | Yoogali SC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | -8 | 0 |
| 8 | Tuggeranong United | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | -9 | 0 |
TOP SCORERS
7: Lukman AHMED-SHAIBU (Gungahlin United)
2: Aisosa IHEGIE (O’Connor Knights), Nick PRATEZINA (Canberra Croatia), Own GOALS
1: Ben BASSER-SILK (Monaro Panthers), Jenno CERUTI (Monaro Panthers), Elie DARWICH (Canberra Olympic), Adam DE FRANCESCHI (Monaro Panthers), Joshua DE ROSSI (Yoogali SC), Luca FLOREZ (Canberra Olympic), Alen JAMES (Canberra Olympic), Thomas JAMES (Canberra Croatia), Michael JOHN (Canberra Olympic), Nikos KALFAS (Tigers FC), Michael KATSOULIS (Gungahlin United), Marko MILUTINOVIC (Tigers FC), Shinzaburo NAKAYAMA (Canberra Olympic), Daniel OLAOYE (Gungahlin United), Michael PICCOLO (Canberra Croatia), Patrick SHORE (Canberra Olympic), Roko STRIKA (Monaro Panthers), Nik TANESKI (Tigers FC), Harry TRUMAN (Canberra Olympic), Keegan VUCETIC (Canberra Croatia)
