Gungahlin United host WNPL front runners Canberra Olympic with a last hope to get involved in the title battle. Belconnen United and Canberra Croatia will face teams at the other end of the table, with all intent to keep looking forward.
The West Canberra Wanderers will kick off a Sunday of football at home against Belconnen United. The Wanderers resisted well against Gungahlin last weekend, sometimes inches away from finding the back of the net, a week after conceding a one goal defeat to Olympic. Steve Rohan-Jones’ players have shown their talent against the best teams in the league, and will need to reiterate the performance against the Blue Devils, while hopefully finding the back of the net early this time.
Scott Conlon’s team thought they had done the hard work when facing Croatia last week, but a late goal meant they dropped two important points in their title race. This week, two starters have left Canberra to study interstate or overseas: Pascale La Hei and Sophia Doumos held an important role in the first team, and their departure will be a test of the depth of talent in the Belconnen ranks. First answers, this Sunday around lunch time.
Canberra Croatia host winless Tuggeranong United later that afternoon. The Deakin side intend to start a new positive cycle at home, after winning only one of their last four encounters. A success against the team at the bottom of the table is expected of Zoran Glavinic’s players, likely confident after their performance against Belconnen last week. The last time they faced Tuggeranong, they struck early but waited for the last minutes of the game to seal the deal. A more comfortable score would undoubtedly be on Glavinic’s wish list.
Tuggies let the opportunity to get a first success slip away last week, and want to make up for lost time. An upset against a top four team is nothing Tuggeranong has not done before. Their defence will not be easy to break down for their opponents, but this season, their woes is upfront. With only three goals to show for in 12 games, the key to getting off the seventh spot will be finding the back of the net.
The game of the round undoubtedly will happen up north, between Gungahlin United and Canberra Olympic. Gunners are unbeaten in six, with their last defeat at the hands of Sunday’s visitors. Since that game, they have bested both Belconnen United and Croatia, and Olympic look like the missing trophy in their hunting cupboard. More importantly, a success against the league leaders would see Gungahlin turn into a league title contender, a position they have not been in since the inception of the WNPL.
Olympic had ten days to rest after a hard-fought victory at Melrose. They saw their advance virtually increase and have an opportunity on Sunday to get rid of a rival for the crown. Frank Cachia’s players have failed to win once only this season, are the best defence in the WNPL and have in recent weeks played their best football yet. The battle of the midfield will be particularly interesting on Sunday, as the Gunners are never as dangerous as when the De Marco sisters dictate the tempo. Go to Gungahlin Enclosed Oval or tune in on BarTV at 2pm on Sunday, this game is a must-watch.
ROUND 15
Sunday 21st July
West Canberra Wanderers v Belconnen United (Melrose Synthetic, 12:45)
Canberra Croatia v Tuggeranong United (Deakin Stadium, 14:00)
Gungahlin United v Canberra Olympic (Ainslie Field 2, 14:00)
