Languishing in the bottom three of NPLM Victoria, the losing streaks continued for the struggling Melbourne Knights and St Albans Dinamo.
With both sides recording their last win in the competition back in March, the prospect of relegation persists for the Cro duo.
Elsewhere, Sydney United 58 climbed back into the top six with a late win, Gold Coast Knights suffered a tense derby loss and a perfect start for Adelaide Croatia Raiders quickly flipped amid their fight for top-flight survival.
Vjesnik’s Jake Holub wraps up the weekend’s NPL action for Croatian clubs across the country, reviewing the notable results and previewing what’s next to come.
NPL Victoria: Round 15
Melbourne Knights 0
South Melbourne 2 (Pope 11′, 16′)
Hosting the struggling South Melbourne at Tompsett Stadium in John Markovski’s first game in charge, things certainly didn’t go to plan for Melbourne Knights.
Within the first 16 minutes, Jack Pope fired home a stunning brace for the visitors, shocking all in attendance.
While Pope was given a straight red later in the half, South Melbourne were more than happy to sit back and hold onto their lead with 10 men.
Holding 68% of possession and forcing Spanish goalkeeper Javi Lopez into nine saves, Knights simply could not find a way past their opponents.
Despite recording 1.89 expected goals to South’s 0.17, Knights had their losing streak extended to seven games in NPL Victoria, remaining on the floor of the ladder.
Taking on second-placed Avondale FC next at Avenger Park on Saturday, May 31, putting a stop to a devastating run of form will be challenging but necessary in the fight for Knights’ survival.
Preston Lions 1 (Bozinovski 88′)
Dandenong City Hajduk 1 (Athiu 73′)
Winning six games on the bounce in all competitions, a test was in place for Dandenong City Hajduk at BT Connor Reserve up against Preston Lions.
Playing out a tight contest, Hajduk’s top-scorer Kenny Athiu followed up on a rebound to put his side ahead in the 73rd minute.
Just minutes away from three points that would take Dandy City up into the top six, defender Matthew Bozinovski arrived at the back post off a free-kick to bring Preston level.
Jamie Latham was denied a sure-winner after an excellent save by goalkeeper Lucas Trenkovski, meaning both sides would share a point in a cracking Friday night clash.
With a mid-week cup fixture to come, followed by a derby clash with Dandenong Thunder to come on Friday night, Hajduk will look to rebound and continue their top form.
St Albans Dinamo 0
Altona Magic 1 (Frangie 38′)
Winless since March, Altona at Churchill Reserve was a must-win fixture for St Albans Dinamo.
Falling a goal behind Altona after the in-form Anthony Frangie netted his fourth goal of the season, Dinamo finished the first 45 without recording a shot on target.
Despite a sending-off to Bilal Habib on the hour mark, Dinamo failed to find an opening past the 10 men of the Magic.
Claiming just one point out of a possible 24 in their last eight outings, fears of relegation loom for Dinamo as they remain 12th in the NPL Victoria league table.
Taking on league leaders Heidelberg United next away from home, things could potentially get worse before they get better for the Saints.
NPL New South Wales: Round 16
Sutherland Sharks 1 (Arimoto 14′)
Sydney United 58 2 (Jennings 25′, Hatch 87′)
Struggling for consistent form in NPL New South Wales, a second-straight win was well-needed for Sydney United 58.
While Sutherland kicked off the scoring at Seymour Shaw, a 25th-minute equaliser by Leroy Jennings provided a big boost to United.
Knocking on the door throughout the remainder of the game, Ante Jurić’s men found just reward for their efforts thanks to a late winner by left-back, Matthew Hatch.
Gifting his side all three points, Sydney United 58 jump back into the top six, next facing seventh-placed Sydney FC on Sunday in a potential six-pointer for a Finals position.
NPL Queensland: Round 11
Gold Coast Knights 0
Gold Coast United 1 (Lucas 90+3′)
Returning to NPL Queensland action for a big derby clash, Gold Coast Knights were in for an important game for their season.
Holding the majority of possession, Scott McDonald’s side sought to break down their opponents on home soil, while the visitors looked to capitalise in counter-attacking scenarios.
As the final whistle approached with the deadlock unable to be broken in regulation time, a penalty was awarded to United in stoppage time.
Chris Lucas ultimately converted from the spot, sinking Knights in heartbreaking fashion.
Averaging just one goal a game so far in the league, Knights have struggled to replicate their impressive tally of 63 goals in 22 games last season.
Taking on top-of-the-table Queensland Lions next, the reigning Premiers of NPL QLD will hope to get their goal-scoring form kickstarted as soon as possible.
NPL South Australia: Round 11
Adelaide Croatia Raiders 1 (Costa 1′)
Adelaide City 2 (Kitano 71′, Lawrie-Lattanzio 90+3′)
Taking on Adelaide City, a big result was the hope at home for the struggling Adelaide Croatia Raiders.
It would start just about as well as you could imagine for the Raiders after Anthony Costa’s forward pressure from kick-off forced the City goalkeeper into a mistake, finding the back of the net 22 seconds into the game.
After the dream start, a sending-off to Jai King-Byrne in the seventh minute brought the Raiders right back down to the ground.
Required to hold out for a result while a player down against one of the top sides in the league, the Knights managed to do so for over an hour.
However, an equaliser from Yuki Kitano followed by a 93rd-minute winner from Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio saw City escape with all three points.
Remaining on the floor of the table after the season’s midway point, staying up in South Australia‘s top flight will be a battle that the Raiders must fight in the remaining 11 rounds.
NPL Capital Football: Round 7
O’Connor Knights 5 (Ahmed-Shaibu 5′, 54′, 72′, Donadel (O.G) 27′, Kresić 41′)
Yoogali SC 1 (Dotson 2′)
Falling to the bottom of the NPL ACT ladder, with a tight pack seeing just two points separate 4th from 8th, O’Connor Knights needed a response against Yoogali.
While conceding early, a five-star performance led by a hat-trick from striker Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu saw the Knights prevail.
With O’Connor jumping into the top four, maintaining their position in the hunt for Finals will be put to the test in the Croatian Derby on Saturday, May 31.
Canberra Croatia 5 (James 10′, Pratezina 17′, 36′, Zsuzsa 60′, Sparrow 90+4′)
Tuggeranong United 0
Hosting Tuggeranong United at Deakin Stadium after a thumping 6-0 win mid-week in the Australia Cup, Canberra Croatia searched to repeat their efforts in the league.
An opener from Thomas James along with a brace netted by youngster Nicholas Pratezina had Croatia three goals up at the break.
A goal on the hour mark by Riley Zsuzsa was followed by a late fifth by Daniel Sparrow, ensuring both Cro ACT sides had five-goal wins in Round 7.
Taking on O’Connor in Round 8, Canberra Croatia will aim to continue their flying form with an eye ahead for the Premiership and Australian Championship qualification.
NPL Western Australia: Round 9
Stirling Lions 2 (Whitney 20′, Snowden 90′)
Western Knights 2 (Lazzaro 56′, O’Brien 61′)
Coming off a well-needed win over Fremantle City, Stirling Lions on the road was the next task for Western Knights.
While Stirling hit the front in the first half, the Knights responded emphatically in the second 45.
Jesse Lazzaro brought it back square after sending two defenders to the floor with a cheeky faint and finish, while Harry O’Brien finished off a short-corner routine just five minutes later.
Half an hour remaining on the clock, the Knights came oh so close to yet another win until a 90th-minute equaliser was fired in by the hosts.
The second last-minute goal conceded by the Knights within three rounds, the fine margins have proven the difference between a possible nine points and the actual five points that have been recorded.
However, the Knights have risen to eighth in the NPL WA ladder, turning around a rough patch of form.
Sorrento FC are the next opponents of the Knights in the league, travelling to Mosman Park for their clash on Saturday, May 31.
NPL Tasmania: Round 8
Glenorchy Knights 3 (Walpole 43′, Naden 45+6′, Costello 90+2′)
Clarence Zebras 0
With the return of NPL Tasmania this weekend, Glenorchy needed a routine win over the Clarence Zebras, who have suffered defeats in all games so far.
While potentially taking longer than expected, a quick-fire double from Thomas Walpole and Nicholas Naden had the Knights leading at the break, adding a third in second-half stoppage time.
Recording two consecutive wins over the league’s bottom two sides at the conclusion of Round 8, an away fixture against the league-leading South Hobart will be a potential season-deciding clash in Glenorchy’s pursuit of the Premiership.
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