All four games will be played on Sunday in the Women’s NPL in Round 13, with Belconnen United travelling to the Riverina to kick-off at 2.30pm.

Against a Wagga City Wanderers who just earned their first win of the season, the Blue Devils will have stay alert. When these teams met at McKellar in round 6, it was the Keira Bobbin show, the striker scoring five out of her team’s nine goals.  Scott Conlon will want the same kind of form from his strikers to avoid any doubt in his troops’ heads.

The Wanderers finally got that first win and can now approach games without the fear of finish the season winless. Facing Belconnen United is a tough task for Wagga City, even at home. A positive result will require a strong defensive performance, and the same lethal efficiency the Wanderers showcased against the Academy.

Canberra United Academy will start their duel with Tuggeranong United at the same time at Hawker Football Centre. The team coached by Sarah West need a positive result to bounce back from that loss to Wagga and try and close the gap with the top four.

The last time the Academy won a game was against Tuggeranong, in the delayed round six encounter. Since then, the Academy have only been able to earn two points in four games.

The team coaches by Paulo Romero wants points. Against Gungahlin and in difficult weather conditions, they showcased once again their intensity without the ball, their ability to press everywhere on the pitch.

Against an Academy team that share some similarities in the style of play, they will need a bit more lethal in front of goals to get a result. The Tuggies have only scored 12 times this season, the worst attack in the competition after Wagga City.

At the top of the table, contenders will be given an opportunity to shine. At Deakin Stadium, Canberra Croatia hosts the West Canberra Wanderers. Despite missing a few key players, Zoran Glavinic managed to keep his invincibility alive against Olympic and Belconnen.

Facing the other team in this top four is another test for the reigning champions, who would have welcomed the Kanga Cup break. Brittany Palombi was on fire last time West Canberra visited Deakin, scoring four goals. The left footed striker will be, as usual, a constant threat for the visitors.

The Wanderers have only lost to two teams this season, Canberra Olympic and Canberra Croatia. Deakin is not friendly territory for the team coached by Rey Castro. Their last success against Croatia was in 2017, a long series Sarah Whitfield and her teammate want to end this weekend.

A win for the Wanderers will not only allow them to keep up with Olympic and the Blue Devils, but also cool down the ambitions of CUA and Gungahlin, who are getting closer to the top four every week.

Gungahlin United know what is at stake when they host Canberra Olympic on Sunday. The Gunners need to continue their series of positive result to really threaten the four teams at the top.

Andrew Woodman is facing his former club at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval, with the hopes that he can finally offer his team a win against a title contender this season. The Gunners have shown improvements at times, but consistency will be key to get a result against the almighty Olympic.

Nicole Begg and her players do not need any extra motivation to keep winning games. Canberra Croatia is still four points away, and the runners-up cannot afford to miss a beat. The round 6 game against the Gunners ended in a dramatic draw, with Michelle Heyman answering to Sarah Johnston in injury time.

This was the last time the best defence in the league conceded two goals in a game. Canberra Olympic are travelling North to comfort their status of title contender, expect an entertaining football match at the GEO.

FIXTURES

ROUND 13

Sunday 17 July

Wagga City Wanderers v Belconnen United (Gissing Oval, 14:30)

Canberra Croatia v West Canberra Wanderers (Deakin Stadium, 15:00)

Canberra United Academy v Tuggeranong United (Hawker Football Centre, 14:30)

Gungahlin United v Canberra Olympic (Gungahlin Enclosed, 15:00)

TABLE

		P	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	Canberra Croatia	12	10	2	0	+55	32
2	Canberra Olympic	12	8	4	0	+43	28
3	Belconnen United	12	7	1	4	+21	22
4	West Canberra Wanderers	12	6	3	3	-3	21
2	Gungahlin United	12	3	3	5	-6	12
6	Canberra United Academy	12	3	2	7	-9	11
7	Tuggeranong United	12	1	2	9	-36	5
8	Wagga City Wanderers	12	1	1	10	-65	4

 

Words: Jeremy Magan