The early pace-setters in the National Premier League will meet this weekend it what promises to be a highly fascinating match at the Australian Institute of Sport when Gungahlin United take on Monaro Panthers.
Gunns have flown out of the blocks at the commencement of the 2024 season, three wins from three giving them a maximum return to date, and with thirteen goals scored, they are certainly not shy of firepower, unleashing a devastating strike force on the top division.
Whilst showing real attacking intent, Gungahlin has also managed to show character and resilience, something they needed in spades last weekend to overturn a 0-2 deficit o overcome Canberra Olympic, the second time in a week they were required to come from behind to win a match.
Panthers meanwhile got their show back on the road with a gritty 2-0 in Griffith, braving the heat and the conditions at Solar Mad Stadium to record what might turn out to be a vital success as the season progresses. Stopping the Gunners express-start to the season will go a long way to showing the rest of the division what they are about.
O’Connor Knights are two from two, they have a game in hand on their rivals, and extended their remarkable unbeaten run, penalty shootout defeat in the Grand Final notwithstanding, to nineteen in all competitions and eighteen in the NPL.
They weren’t without a fright at home in Round 2 against Tuggeranong United, the Knights needing a last-minute goal from young substitute Niko Perinovic to seal the points against a belligerent Tuggeranong and will hope to be a bit smoother when Yoogali SC hit town on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors from Griffith made their NPL away bow at this very venue a fortnight ago and were swamped by Canberra Olympic but looked a lot more solid in their home loss to the Panthers. Finding a cutting edge to go alongside a steelier resolve in the defensive zones will be key for Knight’s interstate guests.
On Sunday, Canberra Croatia, who fought back heroically to earn a point with only ten-men for nearly the whole match against the Tigers in Round 2, make the trip Southside to face a Tuggeranong United side searching for a first point of 2024.
Croatia’s resolve was tested to the full following the early departure of Atiya Waraga in the AIS thriller against Tigers, but they regrouped superbly and twice fought back from conceding a goal.
With Waraga suspended, the promotion of three-goal Nick Pratezina would seem most likely for the visiting team, the young striker having hit the back of the net in all three of his appearances as a replacement so far this term.
Tuggeranong did finally find the net on the weekend, leading for a large part of the match with the Knights, but ultimately ended up with nothing and need to address their defensive issues ahead of what is always a testing encounter when the red juggernaut comes to Kambah.
For Tigers FC, who were frustratingly held by Croatia despite their numerical advantage, Saturday afternoon provides an opportunity to redress that balance when Canberra Olympic return to the scene of their Round 2 defeat.
The Tigers looked visibly annoyed that they were unable to gain the full complement of points against Croatia, the ability to score two excellent goals, offset by the disappointment of conceding two at the other end. A more ruthless streak in front of goal is required.
Olympic meanwhile need the opposite. A tightening of their defensive structure will be top of the Wishlist this week for Victor Yanes, Olympic having conceded eight goals to almost offset the nine they have netted at the right end as far as they are concerned so far in 2024.
Coughing up a 2-0 lead over Gungahlin at the same venue a week ago will have hurt, Making sure it doesn’t happen again the remedy.
FIXTURES
ROUND 4
Saturday 27 April
Tigers FC v Canberra Olympic (AIS, 14:45)
O’Connor Knights v Yoogali SC (O’Connor Enclosed, 15:00)
Sunday 28 April
Tuggeranong United v Canberra Croatia (Kambah 2, 15:00)
Gungahlin United v Monaro Panthers (AIS, 15:00)
All matches are streamed live on BarTV Sports.
TABLE
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Gungahlin United | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 | +9 | 9 |
| 2 | Monaro Panthers | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 6 |
| 3 | O’Connor Knights | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
| 4 | Tigers FC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 4 |
| 5 | Canberra Olympic | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 3 |
| 6 | Canberra Croatia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 4 |
| 7 | Yoogali SC | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 12 | -10 | 0 |
| 8 | Tuggeranong United | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 11 | -10 | 0 |
TOP SCORERS
8: Lukman AHMED-SHAIBU (Gungahlin United)
3: Nick PRATEZINA (Canberra Croatia)
2: Jenno CERUTI (Monaro Panthers), Luca FLOREZ (Canberra Olympic), Aisosa IHEGIE (O’Connor Knights), Alen JAMES (Canberra Olympic), Michael KATSOULIS (Gungahlin United), Roko STRIKA (Monaro Panthers), Nik TANESKI (Tigers FC), Own GOALS
1: Micheal ADAMS (O’Connor Knights), Ben BASSER-SILK (Monaro Panthers), Elie DARWICH (Canberra Olympic), Adam DE FRANCESCHI (Monaro Panthers), Joshua DE ROSSI (Yoogali SC), Thomas JAMES (Canberra Croatia), Michael JOHN (Canberra Olympic), Nikos KALFAS (Tigers FC), Amilio KISTA (Tigers FC), Marko MILUTINOVIC (Tigers FC), Shinzaburo NAKAYAMA (Canberra Olympic), Davaadelger OKTYABRI (Tuggeranong United), Daniel OLAOYE (Gungahlin United), Niko PERINOVIC (O’Connor Knights), Michael PICCOLO (Canberra Croatia), David SESELJA (Canberra Croatia), Patrick SHORE (Canberra Olympic), Julian SMITH (Gungahlin United), Harry TRUMAN (Canberra Olympic), Keegan VUCETIC (Canberra Croatia)
