Canberra Olympic are in need of boost and nothing would be better for their confidence than a win against old foes Canberra Croatia as the ‘Canberra Classico’ takes centre billing as the National Premier League reaches Round 6.
The odds, however, appear majorly stacked against Olympic, a team that has not won for four matches, and who will welcome Croatia without key pairing Nathen Megic and Lasse Olrik, the duo serving suspensions picked up during the home loss to Tuggeranong United.
Both teams have had starts to the 2024 season that belies the tradition and expectations of their supporter base, staring up at those above them on the league ladder and requiring points sooner rather than later.
Olympic currently sit just above the relegation zone, an unthinkable placing for a cub of their history and tradition. No club is above a poor run of form though, its arresting the slide that is vital in maintaining their elite league position. They might be second favourite in this, but will no doubt dig deep.
Riverside Stadium will play host to the late Saturday game when Monaro Panthers, fresh off a come from behind win at the same venue against Tigers FC, welcome a resurgent Tuggeranong United in what promises to be a highly entertaining match between two in-form teams.
The Panthers enjoyed an exceptional week, rounding off a brace of games with victory over the Tigers following their epic success over Canberra Croatia in the Australia Cup Qualifying Round 5, securing their place in the Semi-Finals.
Their mentality and desire was never in question, and they appear to have become a solid and effective unit under Paul Macor, not fazed in the slightest by conceding first in their Round 5 match-up with the Tigers.
Tuggeranong, meanwhile, look to be going from strength to strength. A 3-2 win over Canberra Croatia backed up with an eye-catching 2-1 victory away to Canberra Olympic at O’Connor Enclosed. Mitch Stevens’ group are high on confidence and aiming for a third consecutive scalp.
A huge encounter is set for Woden Park on Sunday afternoon as early pacesetters Gungahlin United and O’Connor Knights clash in what is sure to be a game that will be memorable for all manner of reasons.
Neither of these two proud goliaths will back down from a challenge and, everywhere that you look on the field there are potential match-ups that could decide the destiny of the points come the end of the ninety minutes.
Gunners start to the year has been superb. They have been scoring mountains of goals and conceding very few, a combination that has no doubt pleased Head Coach Javier Roca who has watched his team show the right combination of steel and skill to be considered rightful title contenders.
What is not in doubt is that the Knights won’t be handing over the silverware without a fight of their own, and the way that they have started the defence of their crown has reiterated that statement. This fixture has the look of one that won’t disappoint and should be a ‘must-watch’ this weekend.
A depleted and disrupted Tigers FC make the long trip to Griffith for their latest fixture, as they meet Yoogali SC at Solar Mad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After coughing up a 0-1 lead to Monaro Panthers last weekend, losing 1-3 at the Riverside, salt was added to the Tigers FC wound when at half-time they lost the services of the influential duo of striker Nik Taneski and Captain Sam Whithear, the pair added to the lengthy injury list.
Ali Efe will be hoping his team can recall some of the walking wounded and absentees for the always tough assignment of a trip interstate, but Yoogali may well look at the travelling squad and feel they have a great chance of causing an upset.
The young cubs have done well for Efe, and the Tigers, over the past few weeks, and may well have to shoulder the weight again on the weekend. But, make no mistake, these players are selected on merit and will have the self-belief that they can return to Canberra with the points.
FIXTURES
ROUND 6
Saturday 11 May
Canberra Olympic v Canberra Croatia (O’Connor Enclosed, 15:00)
Monaro Panthers v Tuggeranong United (Riverside Stadium, 17:45)
Sunday 12 May
Yoogali SC v Tigers FC (Solar Mad Stadium, 13:15)
Gungahlin United v O’Connor Knights (Woden Park, 15:00)
All matches are streamed live on BarTV Sports.
TABLE
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Gungahlin United | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 4 | +14 | 15 |
| 2 | O’Connor Knights | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 12 |
| 3 | Monaro Panthers | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 9 |
| 4 | Tigers FC | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 7 |
| 5 | Tuggeranong United | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 6 |
| 6 | Canberra Croatia | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 12 | -2 | 4 |
| 7 | Canberra Olympic | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 13 | -2 | 3 |
| 8 | Yoogali SC | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 19 | -17 | 0 |
TOP SCORERS
10: Lukman AHMED-SHAIBU (Gungahlin United)
4: Aisosa IHEGIE (O’Connor Knights), Nick PRATEZINA (Canberra Croatia)
3: Jenno CERUTI (Monaro Panthers), Luca FLOREZ (Canberra Olympic), Roko STRIKA (Monaro Panthers)
2: Micheal ADAMS (O’Connor Knights), Ben BASSER-SILK (Monaro Panthers), Alen JAMES (Canberra Olympic), Michael KATSOULIS (Gungahlin United), Amilio KISTA (Tigers FC), Davaadelger OKTYABRI (Tuggeranong United), Niko PERINOVIC (O’Connor Knights), Nik TANESKI (Tigers FC), Sam WALKER (Tuggeranong United), Own GOALS
1: Augustine BANGURA (Gungahlin United), Jack BITANI (Tigers FC), Samson CARR (Tigers FC), Elie DARWICH (Canberra Olympic), Adam DE FRANCESCHI (Monaro Panthers), Joshua DE ROSSI (Yoogali SC), Jeremy HABTEMARIAM (Gungahlin United), Thomas JAMES (Canberra Croatia), Michael JOHN (Canberra Olympic), Nikos KALFAS (Tigers FC), Niko KRESIC (O’Connor Knights), Archie MCGREGOR (Tigers FC), Marko MILUTINOVIC (Tigers FC), Shinzaburo NAKAYAMA (Canberra Olympic), Daniel OLAOYE (Gungahlin United), Jackson PAESLER (O’Connor Knights), Joshua PEDERSEN (Tuggeranong United), Michael PICCOLO (Canberra Croatia), Jordan REZEK (Tuggeranong United), Sam ROESTBAKKEN (Canberra Olympic), David SESELJA (Canberra Croatia), Patrick SHORE (Canberra Olympic), Julian SMITH (Gungahlin United), Tony SPASESKI (Canberra Croatia), Daniel SUBASIC (Canberra Croatia), Harry TRUMAN (Canberra Olympic), Keegan VUCETIC (Canberra Croatia), Shandon WHITEHEAD (Gungahlin United)
