Yoogali SC came from two goals behind against Tigers FC to secure a point in the Season Opener at Solar Mad Stadium in Griffith. Two goals within five minutes restored parity for the hosts after the much-fancied Tigers had raced into a two-goal lead midway through the first-half.
Played in almost perfect conditions, on a spongy surface that had been doused with rain the day before, the Tigers got off to an excellent start taking the lead in just the eight minute. Sam Whithear, the visitors captain, sent a probing pass into Yoogali territory which was collected by Nik Popovich, who rounded Luke Armanini to score.
It was two by the twentieth minute mark. Nik Taneski swung over a delightful corner which was met by the forehead of Michael Southam, the central defender powering home into the bottom corner for the net.
If that was a moment for elation for Southam, he was brought back down to earth sixteen minutes later. A poor touch from a Marko Milutinovic pass allowed Darren Bailey to pounce and the Yoogali legend swept a superb right-footed finish beyond debutant goalkeeper Willem Lejeune.
That sparked Yoogali into life and, just five minutes later, they were all-square. Joe Preece played a short ball into Jayce Dotson, but there was still plenty of work to do for the United States import. He did it in style, manufacturing some space and unleashing a shot that took a deflection as it looped in off Lejeune.
In the second stanza both teams went close to claiming all three points. William Akio, the South Sudanese international introduced in place of defender Hamish Wales at half-time, crashed a shot against the upright via a magnificent save from Armanini, whilst Bailey curled an effort off the inside of the post at the other end.
Earlier, Popovich had fired over when well-placed, following a sensational first touch, for Tigers, and Danny Reid forced a sharp stop from Lejeune at his near post, Tiges later seeing a penalty shout waved away, but a draw was a fair result.
RESULTS
SEASON OPENER
Sunday 30 March
Yoogali SC 2 (Bailey 36’, Dotson 41’) Tigers FC 2 (Popovich 8’, Southam 20’)
TABLE
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Tigers FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | Yoogali SC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Canberra Croatia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Gungahlin United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Monaro Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | O’Connor Knights | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Queanbeyan City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Tuggeranong United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TOP SCORERS
1: Darren BAILEY (Yoogali SC), Jayce DOTSON (Yoogali SC), Nik POPOVICH (Tigers FC), Michael SOUTHAM (Tigers FC)
TOP ASSISTS
1: Joe PREECE (Yoogali SC), Nik TANESKI (Tigers FC), Sam WHITHEAR (Tigers FC)
