Another crunch weekend in the Capital Football NPL competition is in store as Round 12 features four matches which will have direct consequences on both ends of the league table as one of the tightest seasons the ACT has witnessed continues.
Action gets underway with bottom of the table West Canberra Wanderers meeting the title-chasing Monaro Panthers at Melrose Synthetic with points a valuable commodity for both sides, albeit of course, for vastly differing reasons.
The Wanderers issued a rallying cry prior to their 3-1 defeat of Tigers FC in Round 11, defiantly predicting a top-four finish which may have raised a few eyebrows amongst the NPL cognoscenti, and yet the manner of their display in confidently disposing of the stricken defending champions gave notice of their intent.
Panthers got themselves back into the winner’s circle with a 2-0 win over O’Connor Knights, looking good in victory even without the injured Andre Carle and suspended midfielder Amilio Kista. The Panthers enjoyed a narrow win in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, a late Darren Bailey goal winning the points at the Riverside.
With the Wanderers also perhaps still cursing their luck that saw Monaro steal a last-kick equaliser and the Australia Cup off them, there is surely extra incentive to upset the applecart in this one.
Canberra Olympic host Tigers FC at O’Connor Enclosed with their brace of new signings, poached from their immediate opponents last weekend, set for a return debut in blue. The re-signing of striker Nik Popovich and midfielder Nathen Megic is a shrewd piece of business from Robbie Cattanach, and he may not be able to resist slinging them straight into action.
Olympic showed superb grit and character in rescuing a point at McKellar Park last time out, a stoppage time equaliser from Adrian Macor earning them a share of the spoils. What wouldn’t have pleased the Olympic hierarchy was the way they found themselves two-goals adrift. Sorting out a defensive which was too easily breached is paramount.
Tigers season is in danger of implosion. Missing a raft of players through injury, and now seeing Popovich and Megic depart, it must feel like all the luck in the world is going in the direction of the Tigers, and all of it is bad. A capitulation against West Canberra, after leading 1-0 was a disaster and they need to find a win to avoid being dragged into a potential relegation battle.
League leaders Canberra Croatia meet old foes Belconnen United at Deakin Stadium on Sunday afternoon with the Blues Devils having a quite remarkable record on their visits to the home of their traditional rivals.
Incredibly, in eleven league meetings at Deakin Stadium, Belconnen have emerged victorious seven times with Croatia having only won three of those fixtures. The Blue Devils looked in good form last weekend, before their late slip-up that cost them three points against Olympic and with Beau Harvey set to settle into the line-up, alongside six-goal Maxx Green, the visiting team will fancy their chances.
Canberra Croatia saw their unbeaten record go south in a home loss to Gungahlin United and have been struggling for goals at home this season, having only managed eight so far. However, with a group as talented as the one that leads the pile at the present, there will surely be a time when they click into gear in the final third.
Matej Busek has been a livewire in recent weeks and with Nik Taneski back in red following a hiatus with Sutherland Sharks, the home side will be eyeing off a repeat of the 2-0 win their secured earlier this term.
The round is complete with an intriguing looking match between Gungahlin United and O’Connor Knights at the Australian Institute of Sport. Gunners hard-fought 1-0 win at Croatia in Round 11 has set them nicely up for a push towards the league title in the second half of the season with the charge for the top looking increasingly like a three-horse race.
Gunners have an enviable squad, strength in depth, and a variety of riches from which to choose each week and Marcial Munoz has a selection headache that any other coach would be only too happy to have.
The Knights were unable to compete effectively for ninety minutes against the Panthers, struggling to impose themselves on what was a very difficult playing surface at O’Connor Enclosed. The AIS should suit their style but will also suit the Gunners. With a myriad of striking options at their disposal, the Gunners will be confident they can continue their recent good form. The Knights though love pooping a party!
FIXTURES
ROUND 12
Saturday 2 July
West Canberra Wanderers v Monaro Panthers (Melrose Synthetic, 14:15)
Canberra Olympic v Tigers FC (O’Connor Enclosed, 15:00)
Sunday 3 July
Canberra Croatia v Belconnen United (Deakin Stadium, 15:00)
Gungahlin United v O’Connor Knights (AIS Grass, 15:00)
TABLE
| P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Canberra Croatia | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | +14 | 24 |
| 2 | Gungahlin United | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | +13 | 23 |
| 3 | Monaro Panthers | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | +14 | 21 |
| 4 | O’Connor Knights | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | -4 | 14 |
| 5 | Canberra Olympic | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -11 | 12 |
| 6 | Tigers FC | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -6 | 10 |
| 7 | Belconnen United | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -13 | 10 |
| 8 | West Canberra Wanderers | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | -7 | 5 |
