In the latest NPL action, St Albans Dinamo were dealt a devastating blow in a come-from-behind 3-1 win by in-form Dandenong City Hajduk.
Winless in their last seven NPL Victoria games, fears of dropping into the bottom three loom large for Dinamo. They need to turn around their season with some tough fixtures up ahead.
Another loss for Melbourne Knights has them rock-bottom in the league amid the arrival of a new head coach. Meanwhile, positive results were recorded for Sydney United 58, Canberra Croatia, and Western Knights in some big fixtures.
Vjesnik’s Jake Holub wraps up the weekend’s NPL action for Croatian clubs across the country. He reviews the notable results and previews what’s next to come.
NPL Victoria: Round 14
Heidelberg United 2 (Yokokawa 31′, Lesiotis 57′)
Melbourne Knights 1 (Bramwell 12′)
Facing top of the league Heidelberg United away from home, Melbourne Knights were up for a big challenge on Friday night.
However, it started just about as well as you could imagine.
An intelligent run in behind by Ciaran Bramwell forced Heidelberg goalkeeper Yaren Sozer to take out the bolting striker. This earned Knights a penalty kick just 10 minutes into the game.
Bramwell converted from the spot to score his fifth goal of the season. He continues to step up for his side during a difficult period.
Around the hour mark, Asahi Yokokawa equalised for Heidelberg. He brought the score back level with a low-driven strike from outside the box.
A stunning Anthony Lesiotis free-kick in the 57th minute pulled the Bergers in front. It proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Sitting rock-bottom in NPLM Victoria amid a six-game losing streak, Knights need a big turnaround. This is crucial for ensuring their survival.
Following the game, the club announced the arrival of former player John Markovski as head coach for the remainder of the season. The Knights faithful will hope this appointment can improve the results.
Markovski will ultimately be put to the test against South Melbourne at Tompsett Stadium on Friday, May 23.
St Albans Dinamo 1 (Platt 13′)
Dandenong City Hajduk 3 (Mills (O.G) 37′, Cuba 77′ Cesnik 90+6′)
Hosting Dandenong City Hajduk in a cracking Sunday fixture, St Albans Dinamo needed a big result. This was necessary to turn around their season.
After 13 minutes of action, a ball played through by Josh Gulevski was finished off by striker Mickel Platt. This was an excellent link-up for the former Hume City duo that was brought to Dinamo in the off-season.
The Boys in Blue were up and about after an excellent start on home soil. They were eager to keep their momentum flowing.
An attack down the right wing by Hajduk saw a dangerous ball whipped into the box. It was accidentally turned into the goal by Dinamo defender Alec Mills in the 37th minute.
Coming from behind to win thanks to the impact of substitutes against Melbourne Victory last week, Hajduk decided to repeat the script once again in Round 14.
Valli Cesnik’s delivery into the box was finished off by Diego Cuba in the 77th minute. Also, Cesnik got a goal of his own just before the final whistle.
The 3-1 win sees Hajduk continue to knock on the door of the top six with a fourth-straight win in NPLM VIC.
Dinamo have now lost seven out of their last eight outings in all competitions. They sit just two points clear of 14th-placed Melbourne Knights.
Dandy City’s hot form will be tested at BT Connor Reserve against Preston Lions on Friday, May 23. Meanwhile, St Albans will face Altona Magic on Sunday, May 25.
NPL New South Wales: Round 15
Sydney United 58 1 (McGing 84′)
St George City 0
Suffering a heavy defeat last weekend to Sydney Olympic, Sydney United 58 returned to Edensor Park for an important clash against St George City in Round 15 of the NPL New South Wales season.
Slugging it out in the rainy conditions, a late winner from centre-back Liam McGing saw United prevail in a tight contest.
Placed 10th before the round, Sydney United have jumped back into the top six after securing a crucial three points.
Next, United travels to face Sutherland Sharks on Saturday, May 24.
NPL South Australia: Round 10
Campbelltown City 2 (Mullen 27′, 40′)
Adelaide Croatia Raiders 1 (Costa 45+2′)
Kicking off NPL South Australia‘s action on Friday night, a difficult away game was on the cards for Adelaide Croatia Raiders.
A brace from former Sydney FC player Alex Mullen saw Campbelltown City lead by two goals after 40 minutes. This was an excellent start for the home side.
On the brink of half-time, attacker Anthony Costa popped up with his third goal of the season. He brought the Raiders back into action for a big second 45.
However, Campbelltown held strong for their third consecutive win, leaving the Raiders winless in their last five league outings.
Dropping to the bottom of the league, a home fixture against Adelaide City will be a must-win for the Raiders on Saturday, May 24.
NPL Capital Football: Round 6
Canberra Croatia 3 (Jadric 38′, Green 80′, Sparrow 90+5′)
Monaro Panthers 0
Recording their first loss of the season to Tigers FC last weekend, Canberra Croatia had to respond in a top-of-the-table clash.
Hosting Monaro Panthers, Marko Jadric’s 38th-minute goal, coupled with a late double from Maxx Green and Daniel Sparrow, secured an emphatic 3-0 win for Croatia.
Standing a point ahead of Tigers with a game in hand, Croatia have jumped back on track. They aim to pursue the Capital Premiership and Australian Championship qualification.
Tuggeranong United are next in line for Croatia on home soil, rounding out Round 7’s action on Sunday, May 25.
Gungahlin United 2 (Gaspari 20′, Yoshida 85′)
O’Connor Knights 1 (Junna 55′)
Beginning to recover from an awful start to their 2025 campaign, O’Connor Knights came away with four points in their last two games. They face winless Gungahlin United in Round 6 of the NPL ACT.
While trailing after the first half, a goal from Christian Junna against his former club had the Knights back level.
However, an 85th-minute winner by Japanese attacker Shoki Yoshida saw Gungahlin United secure their first three points of the season.
As such, Gungahlin have leapfrogged O’Connor, who now fall to the bottom of the ladder.
Taking on Yoogali next on Saturday, May 24, it will be a crucial game for the Knights. They hope to jump back out of the relegation zone.
NPL Western Australia: Round 8
Western Knights 3 (Steele (O.G) 42′, Sparta 64′, Santich 70′)
Fremantle City 2 (Cook 14′, Ambrogio 74′)
Winless in NPL Western Australia since March, a home match-up against Fremantle City presented an opportunity. Western Knights aimed to claim a much-needed victory.
Falling behind after 14 minutes, the Knights equalised before the break and continued their momentum into the second half.
Kosta Sparta put his side ahead just past the hour mark. Meanwhile, Kristian Santich netted the third goal in his last two outings in the 70th minute.
Despite Fremantle City managing to pull one back, the Knights held on and celebrated a massive three points.
Jumping out of the bottom two, Western Knights look ahead to Stirling Lions next on Saturday, May 24.