Gungahlin United is indeed in fine form before hosting a Canberra Croatia team well rested after a weekend off in what is sure to be a blockbuster match as the Women’s National Premier League reaches Round 5.
Nick Val Aalst’s squad have scored 18 goals in the last three games and can confirm they can also perform against the top teams in the competition. Their ability to build from the back line and their preference to dictate the tempo will be put to the test against a Deakin side who likes to press high and close the midfield with their 3-4-3 formation.
Zoran Glavinic’s outfit surprised by pushing aside, and dominating, competition favourite Olympic in the Federation Cup, while keeping a clean sheet. The success was welcome after consecutive defeats in the league.
Getting a result in the North would confirm Canberra Croatia’s intent to fight for trophies in 2024, as well as allow the team to come back to their opponents’ level at on the table.
Canberra Olympic will take a short trip to Acton to face a wounded ANU WFC. After falling victim to Gungahlin last week, facing the reigning champions is no easy task for Thomas Crossley’s players.
It seems the brand of football is more important than the result right now for the University Club however, with an emphasis on keeping the football on the ground, short passing, and a lot of movement. Persistence will undoubtedly pay off.
Olympic earned the three points and their first clean sheet against Tuggeranong last week and will want to reiterate the same performance. A start of the season stained by injuries has seen Michaela Thornton shine in her centre-back role, while allowing for the Jaya Bowman-Jane Vanzino duo to bloom and find cohesion in the middle of the park.
A solid core is being built by Frank Cachia and his team, while they seem to still be looking for the winning formula upfront. Winning three out of three and still looking for the best starting 11 is a good place to be at! And if all else fails, Janet King is as decisive as ever on her line this season.
The travel will be a little longer for Belconnen United, all the way South to face Tuggeranong United, three days after they meet at McKellar Park in the Federation Cup. Under Sarah West, the Kambah residents have developed quickly, without forgetting the defensive solidity and grittiness of their past years.
Matylda Wells-Sheather in defence and Lena Christopherson upfront have impressed in their spirit on and off the ball, while Tarah Manthongsy, Tiana Phillips-Maynard and Ashlee Smith-Roberts showed their technique and ability to play together in the middle. Facing the leaders twice in a week will be a challenge, but also a great way to see the path yet to travel.
The Blue Devils would have been itching to play some football by now, after their week off. 180 minutes and more of football in three days will help with that and allow us to see more of the new goal scoring machine upfront, Alyssa Di Campli.
As well as scoring five goals in two games, the former Academy player has shown herself in the build-up and happily assists her teammates. Her understanding with Pascale La Hei, Pearl Tein, or Isabella Hindmarsh to name just them will force their opponents to find new plans to neutralise Belconnen United’s armada.
They are defending their first place already this weekend, and it sure looks like a solid season in the making.
FIXTURES
ROUND 5
Sunday 5 May
Gungahlin United v Canberra Croatia (Gungahlin Enclosed, 14:00)
ANU WFC v Canberra Olympic (Woden Park, 15:00)
Tuggeranong United v Belconnen United (Greenway Enclosed, 15:00)
All matches are streamed live on BarTV Sports.
TABLE
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Belconnen United | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 | +10 | 9 |
| 2 | Canberra Olympic | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 9 |
| 3 | Gungahlin United | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 9 | +6 | 6 |
| 4 | Canberra Croatia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 3 |
| 5 | ANU WFC | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | -8 | 2 |
| 6 | West Canberra Wanderers | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | -5 | 1 |
| 7 | Tuggeranong United | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 |
TOP SCORERS
5: Alyssa DI-CAMPLI (Belconnen United), Darby WHITELEY (Gungahlin United)
4: Alex MARTENS (Gungahlin United)
3: Brittany PALOMBI (Canberra Croatia)
2: Madison CACHIA (Canberra Olympic), Isabella HINDMARSH (Belconnen United), Nicole JALOCHA (Canberra Olympic), Pascale LA HEI (Belconnen United), Ginger OLIVER (Gungahlin United), Reilly YUEN (Belconnen United), Sarah WHITFIELD (West Canberra Wanderers)
1: Jamie BERKELEY (Canberra Croatia), Sofia CHAVERRA (ANU WFC), Arusha CHEW (Canberra Croatia), Hattie CRAM (Belconnen United), Natalie DE MARCO (Gungahlin United), Corinne DENTON (Gungahlin United), Jade EMMS (Belconnen United), Tatum MAZIS (Canberra Croatia), Saskia NEWMAN (ANU WFC), Madeliene PERCEVAL (Gungahlin United), Katrina PERIC (Canberra Olympic), Bessie RIETHMULLER (Canberra Olympic), Alina ROBERTS (Belconnen United), Michaela THORNTON (Canberra Olympic), Matylda WELLS-SHEATHER (Tuggeranong United), Kayla WRIGHT (Gungahlin United)
Words: Jeremy Magan
